Public library service appropriations -- Public library services improvement and equalization fund -- Purposes -- Restrictions -- Distribution formula
KRS 171.201
in effect171.201. Public library service appropriations -- Public library services improvement and equalization fund -- Purposes -- Restrictions -- Distribution formula
(1) For grants to public libraries for promoting, aiding, and equalizing public library service in Kentucky, there may be funds appropriated out of the general expenditure fund of the State Treasury.
(2) In addition to any other funds appropriated to the Department for Libraries and Archives, there shall be appropriated annually to the department o ut of the general expenditure fund of the State Treasury an amount sufficient to provide the following assistance to local public libraries:
(a) The department shall first distribute to each county public library system a foundation grant based upon the co unty population using the last official census as follows: 1. Counties with a population of twenty -two thousand (22,000) or less shall receive nine thousand dollars ($9,000); 2. Counties with a population between twenty-two thousand one (22,001) and forty-five thousand (45,000) shall receive eight thousand dollars ($8,000); and 3. Counties with a population over forty-five thousand (45,000) shall receive seven thousand dollars ($7,000); and
(b) The department shall distribute the remaining funds appropriate d for this program to each county public library system, based on the county's share of the state population, at a rate of fifty-three cents ($0.53) per capita in fiscal year 1997-98 and seventy-three cents ($0.73) per capita in fiscal year 1998 -99 and each year thereafter to be used for the following purposes: 1. Purchase, upgrading, and maintenance of the technology necessary to enable the staff and the public to have access to electronic information; 2. Purchase of library materials and equipment; 3. Maintenance and operation of bookmobiles and extension programs; 4. Staff training and compensation; 5. Building maintenance; 6. Debt service; 7. Resource-sharing; 8. Program development; and 9. All other local library needs and services; and
(c) For counties which do not have a public library, the department shall make the foundation grant and per capita distribution to a recognized library organization for the purpose of providing or establishing countywide public library service under existing departmental guidelines.
(3) The appropriation necessary to fund the formula foundation grants and a seventy - three cents ($0.73) per capita distribution shall constitute the base for the agency's biennial budget request for this program.
(4) (a) In addition to the foundation grants and per capita distribution to a local public library, there is hereby created within the Department for Libraries and Archives a public library services improvement and equalization fund to assure substantially equal public library services for all citizens of the Commonwealth. The creation of this fund is not intended to limit or prevent any public library from providing services and facilities beyond those assured by the state-supported program.
(b) It is intended that the proceeds of the fund created under this subsection be used to: 1. Improve early childhood development; 2. Support lifelong learning opportunities; 3. Enhance economic development; 4. Enrich cultural resource opportunities for all Kentuckians; and 5. Expand adult education and adult literacy programs.
(5) Expenditures from the fund created in subsection (4) of this section shall not be made unless those expenditures:
(a) Comply with the categories of allowable costs in subsection (2)(b) of this section; and
(b) Comply with the enterprise information technology architecture and standards developed by the Commonwealth when utilized for technology procurements.
(6) (a) The fund created under subsection (4) of this section shall be distributed based on a formula using the per population assessment and equalization rate of two hundred percent (200%) of the poverty level per annual population assessment produced by the United States Bureau of Census. The exact formula and distribution of the fund shall be set forth in an administrative regulation promulgated by the Department for Libraries and Archives.
(b) A local public library shall not be qualified to receive funds under subsection (4) of this section, if that library's regular annual appropriation in the current fiscal year is less than the appropriation received in the previous fiscal year.
Effective: July 14, 2000
History: Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 504, sec. 1, effective July 14, 2000. -- Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 490, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1998. -- Amended 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 173, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1994. -- Amended 1986 Ky. Acts ch. 468, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1986. -- Amended 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 8, sec. 2. -- Amended 1972 Ky. Acts ch. 223, sec. 1. -- Amended 1966 Ky. Acts ch. 255, sec. 158. -- Created 1952 Ky. Acts ch. 114, secs. 1 and 5. 2026-2028 Budget Reference. See State/Executive Branch Budget, 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 168, Pt. I, D, 6, b, (1) at 2078.
Source: Kentucky Legislative Research Commission (legislature.ky.gov)URL: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=4766Fetched: 10/20/2026