43.24 State aid.

(1) Each public library system shall be paid state aid for the operation and maintenance of the system. Except as provided in pars. (b) and (c), the amount paid to each system shall be determined as follows:

(a)

1. Determine the percentage change in the total amount appropriated under s. 20.255 (3) (qm) between the previous fiscal year and the current fiscal year, except that for the 2009-10 fiscal year, determine the percentage change in the total amount appropriated under s. 20.255 (3) (e), 2007 stats., and s. 20.255 (3) (qm) in the previous fiscal year, and s. 20.255 (3) (qm) in the current fiscal year.

2. Multiply the amount of state aid received by the system in the previous fiscal year by the sum of 1.0 and the result under subd. 1. expressed as a decimal.

(b) If the territory of a public library system is altered, the department shall adjust the aid paid to that system under par. (a). The department shall promulgate rules establishing the method the department will use to make the adjustment.

(c) Beginning in the fiscal year in which the total amount of state aid appropriated for public library systems under s. 20.255 (3) (qm), as determined by the department, equals at least 11.25 percent of the total operating expenditures for public library services from local and county sources in the calendar year ending in that fiscal year, the amount paid to each system shall be determined by adding the result of each of the following calculations:

1. Multiply the system's percentage of the state's population by the product of the amount appropriated under s. 20.255 (3) (qm) and 0.85.

2. Multiply the system's percentage of the state's geographical area by the product of the amount appropriated under s. 20.255 (3) (qm) and 0.075.

3. Divide the sum of the payments to the municipalities and counties in the system under subch. I of ch. 79 for the current fiscal year, as reflected in the statement of estimated payments under s. 79.015, by the total of all payments under subch. I of ch. 79 for the current fiscal year, as reflected in the statement of estimated payments under s. 79.015, and multiply the result by the product of the amount appropriated under s. 20.255 (3) (qm) and 0.075.

(2) For a public library system to qualify for and maintain its eligibility for state aid under this section it shall ensure that all of the following are provided:

(a) Written agreements that comply with s. 43.15 (4) (c) 4. with all member libraries.

(b) Backup reference, information and interlibrary loan services from the system resource library, including the development of and access to specialized collections, as evidenced by a written agreement with that library.

(d) Referral or routing of reference and interlibrary loan requests from libraries within the system to libraries within and outside the system.

(e) In-service training for participating public library personnel and trustees.

(fm) Electronic delivery of information and physical delivery of library materials to participating libraries.

(g) Service agreements with all adjacent library systems.

(h) Professional consultant services to participating public libraries.

(i) Any other service programs designed to meet the needs of participating public libraries and the residents of the system area, as determined by the public library system board after consultation with participating public libraries.

(k) Promotion and facilitation of library service to users with special needs.

(L) Cooperation and continuous planning with other types of libraries in the system area, which results in agreements with those libraries for the appropriate sharing of library resources to benefit the clientele of all libraries in the system area.

(m) Planning with the division and with participating public libraries and other types of libraries in the area in regard to library technology and the sharing of resources. By January 1, 2000, and by every 5th January 1 thereafter, the public library system shall submit to the division a written plan for library technology and the sharing of resources.

(n) That, if the system reimburses a participating public library for the costs of providing interlibrary borrowing services to an individual who holds a valid borrower's card of another participating public library, the reimbursement shall not exceed the actual costs incurred by the public library in providing such services. The department shall promulgate rules for determining actual costs for the purposes of this paragraph.

(3) Annually, the division shall review the reports and proposed service plans submitted by the public library systems under s. 43.17 (5) for conformity with this chapter and such rules and standards as are applicable. Upon approval, the division shall certify to the department of administration an estimated amount to which each system is entitled under this section. Annually on or before December 1 of the year immediately preceding the year for which aids are to be paid, the department of administration shall pay each system 75 percent of the certified estimated amount from the appropriation under s. 20.255 (3) (qm). The division shall, on or before the following April 30, certify to the department of administration the actual amount to which the system is entitled under this section. On or before July 1, the department of administration shall pay each system the difference between the amount paid on December 1 of the prior year and the certified actual amount of aid to which the system is entitled from the appropriation under s. 20.255 (3) (qm). The division may reduce state aid payments when any system or any participant thereof fails to meet the requirements of sub. (2). Beginning September 1, 1991, the division may reduce state aid payments to any system if the system or any participant in the system fails to meet the requirements of s. 43.15 (4).

(3m) If the appropriation under s. 20.255 (3) (qm) in any one year is insufficient to pay the full amount under sub. (1), state aid payments shall be prorated among the library systems entitled to such aid.

(4) The division shall assure through an annual audit and adjustment of aids, as necessary, that no more than 20 percent of the funds received by systems are used for administrative purposes.

(5) Any interest earned from the investment of state aid paid to each public library system under sub. (3) shall be allocated to the library system receiving the aid payments.

History: 1971 c. 152; 1971 c. 211 s. 126; 1971 c. 336; 1973 c. 243 s. 82; 1977 c. 29; 1979 c. 34, 347; 1981 c. 20; 1983 a. 27 s. 2202 (42); 1985 a. 29, 177; 1989 a. 21, 286; 1991 a. 272; 1993 a. 16, 490; 1995 a. 27, 225; 1997 a. 150; 1999 a. 9, 99; 2003 a. 33; 2005 a. 420; 2009 a. 28; 2011 a. 158; 2013 a. 165 s. 115; 2017 a. 59.