Trustee Manual: Role of the State Library
Chapter 5 Role of the State Library | Next Chapter | Previous Chapter | Table of Contents | PDF
Within the organizational structure of Utah State government, the State Library is a Division of the Department of Community and Culture. The Utah Code has designated the State Library Division as "the library authority for the state" and has given it the responsibility for "general library services" (UCA 9-7-201), and given it authority to "develop standards for public libraries" (UCA 9-7-205(1)(n)). The State Library works on behalf of libraries and librarians to enhance library service statewide. There are three major programs within the Division:
- Library Development
- Library Resources
- The Library for the Blind and Disabled
Responsibilities of the Utah State Library Division
The State Library plays a key role in facilitating discussions on statewide issues, initiating regional planning, coordinating resource sharing, and educating library directors, trustees and local elected leaders. Some of the specific programs administered by the State Library include:
- Preserving and disseminating state government information;
- Administering federal and state grants;
- Compiling statistics on public library service;
- Developing standards for library certification;
- Providing consulting and training services for librarians and trustees;
- Coordinating Pioneer: Utah's Online Library;
- Distributing summer reading program materials;
- Supervising bookmobile service; and
- Providing state and regional library services for the blind and disabled.
Responsibilities of Local Libraries
The State Library has a primary charge to document the progress of library service statewide. In order to meet this task, the State Library is authorized to conduct surveys, collect statistics and planning documents, administer grant programs, and enforce applicable library laws within its jurisdiction. The local library jurisdiction is expected to comply with State Library requests for information and to submit required reports and documents in a timely manner. Some of the regularly scheduled reports that need to be sent to the State Library include: the annual statistical report; grant expenditure reports and evaluations; long-range plans and technology plans; Internet policy updates; orders for summer reading materials; and changes in library hours, directorship and board appointments. The State Library could not fulfill its mission without the cooperation of each and every local library.