54-24-03. Powers and duties of state librarian
The state librarian shall:
1. Make rules for the operation of the state library.
2. Provide and care for all books and library materials in all collections of the state library
and work to focus the collections.
3. Employ qualified library personnel to care for all library procedures.
4. Make library materials available to libraries throughout the state, to individuals
connected with departments of state, and to citizens of North Dakota.
5. Work to improve library services to citizens by providing assistance to librarians and
library trustees and staff and by encouraging the extension of networking and regional
and statewide cooperation among libraries.
6. Coordinate the efforts of librarianship throughout the state, advising and assisting the
extension of qualified public libraries into centers of county or multicounty libraries.
7. Compile statistics on all North Dakota public libraries and their services and their
larger counterparts of county and multicounty libraries, regional library cooperatives,
and multitype library authorities. Make a full biennial report to the superintendent of
public instruction and the governor of the work done at the state library. The state
librarian may not require a private sector library to submit information relating to the
provisions of this subsection.
8. Collect, maintain, and make available informational materials that supplement and
support the needs of all libraries in the state, either by direct loan or by consultation,
and that form a reference source for the officers of the state in performing their duties.
9. Assist libraries in developing local standards and guidelines defining the basic level of
service that they will provide.
10. Conduct, or have conducted, research into the conditions of library service in the state
and produce written plans for the development and betterment of that service.
11. Promote and assist in the development of regional library cooperatives, including
multitype library authorities.
12. Establish levels of certification for libraries of the state that meet the standards
recommended by the American library association and the North Dakota library
association.
13. Promote and assist libraries in this state in developing and maintaining a
computerized, comprehensive, bibliographic statewide database for storing
bibliographic records of libraries which allows residents unmediated, seamless, direct
access to library catalogs with a common interface and a common set of commands
and the ability to search the library collections of the entire state at one time or only the
collections of the local library, regional libraries, or select group of libraries.
14. Coordinate interlibrary loan activities throughout this state.
15. Arrange for continuing education and training programs for library personnel.
16. Provide technical assistance and counsel to library personnel.
17. Distribute grants to libraries within the limits of legislative appropriations for the
purpose of developing or improving library services or programs.
18. Provide staff services to the North Dakota library coordinating council.
19. Disburse surplus library materials to libraries throughout the state.
