N.J. Admin. Code § 15:21-12.4

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 15:21-12.4 - Annual municipal or joint free public library funding

(a) Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:54-8 and N.J.S.A. 40:54-29.4, municipalities are required to provide an annual mandatory library appropriation.

(b) Municipalities that elect to appropriate additional funding for municipal or joint free public libraries more than 15 percent above the previous year's total municipal expenditures for such library may do so upon application and approval from the State Librarian, as required by N.J.S.A. 40:54-8.1. Municipalities that chose to appropriate this additional amount are required to submit the following information to the State Librarian:

1. A prioritized itemized list that delineates the proposed use of the funds; and

2. Justification that supports the provision of efficient and effective library services.

(c) Municipalities may appropriate an additional sum greater than the annual mandatory library appropriation.

(d) Municipalities are required to expend money raised as per N.J.S.A. 40:54-8 and N.J.S.A. 40:54-29.4 in full to the treasurer of the board of trustees, or into a reserve account retained in the custody of the municipal treasurer to be disbursed by same after approval by the board of trustees of the free public library as provided by N.J.S.A. 40:54-13. Municipalities which structure the expenditure of the library appropriation into periodic payments, shall make such periodic payments to the treasurer in advance at a rate of no less than 25 percent of the total annual appropriation in quarterly installments.

(e) In those municipalities where the annual library appropriation pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:54-8 and 40:54-29.4 is retained in the custody of the municipal treasurer and disbursed by him or her after approval by the board of trustees of the free public library, any prior year unexpended funds remaining from the annual mandatory library appropriation shall be retained in the library-controlled account dedicated for eligible purposes, as defined in N.J.A.C. 15:21-12.3 and 12.5, for the maintenance of such municipality's public library.

N.J. Admin. Code § 15:21-12.4