Joint libraries
Wis. Stat. § 43.53
in effect(1) Joint libraries may be created by any 2 or more municipalities or by a county and one or more municipalities located in whole or in part in the county, by appropriate agreement of their governing bodies. Section 43.52 applies to joint libraries.
(2) Joint library agreements under sub. (1) shall contain provisions necessary to establish a library board under s. 43.54, including a procedure for adjusting the membership of the board to ensure that it remains representative of the populations of the participating municipalities, as shown by the most recent federal census, under s. 43.54 (1m) (a) 1.; perform the duties under s. 43.58; and own and operate the physical facilities. A joint library agreement shall also do all of the following:
(a) Name one of the participants as the library’s fiscal agent, who is responsible for the payroll, benefit administration, insurance, and financial record keeping and auditing for the library. The participant’s costs of providing the services under this paragraph count toward the financial support required of the participant under s. 43.15 (4) (b) 2.
(b) Include a procedure for the distribution of a joint library’s assets and liabilities if the joint library is dissolved.
(3) A joint library may not be established unless it includes at least one municipality with a public library established before May 8, 1990.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/43.53Fetched: 10/7/2026