Cal. Education Code - EDC § 18700. Section 18700.
This chapter shall be known as the California Library Services Act.
ARTICLE 1. General Provisions [18700. - 18703.]
Cal. Education Code - EDC 1.
in effectCal. Education Code - EDC § 18701. Section 18701.
The Legislature finds and declares that it is in the interest of the people of the state to ensure that all people have free and convenient access to all library resources and services that might enrich their lives, regardless of where they live or of the tax base of their local government. This finding is based on the recognition that:
(a)
The public library is a primary source of information, recreation, and education to persons of all ages, any location, or any economic circumstance.
(b)
The expansion of knowledge and the increasing complexity of our society creates a need for materials and information that goes beyond the ability of any
one library to provide.
(c)
The public libraries of California are supported primarily by local taxes. The ability of local governments to provide adequate service is dependent on the taxable wealth of each local jurisdiction and varies widely throughout the state.
(d)
Public libraries are unable to bear the greater costs of meeting the exceptional needs of many residents, including people with disabilities, non-English-speaking and limited-English-speaking persons, those who are confined to home or in an institution, and those who are economically disadvantaged.
(e)
The effective sharing of resources and services among the libraries of California requires an ongoing commitment by the state to promote access to information in both print and digital format.
Cal. Education Code - EDC § 18702. Section 18702.
It is the intent of the Legislature to provide all residents with the opportunity to obtain from their public libraries needed materials and informational services by facilitating access to the resources of all libraries in this state.
This policy shall be accomplished by assisting public libraries to improve service to the underserved of all ages, and by enabling public libraries to provide their users with the services and resources of all libraries in this state.
Cal. Education Code - EDC § 18703. Section 18703.
In adopting this chapter, the Legislature declares that its policy shall be as follows:
(a)
To reaffirm the principle of local control of the government and administration of public libraries, and to affirm that the provisions of this chapter apply only to libraries authorized by their jurisdictions to apply to participate in the programs authorized by this act.
(b)
To require no library, as a condition for receiving funds or services under this chapter, to acquire or exclude any specific book, periodical, film, recording, picture, or other material, or any specific equipment, or to acquire or exclude any classification of books or other
material by author, subject matter, or type.
(c)
To encourage the adequate financing of libraries from local sources, with state aid to be furnished to supplement, not supplant, local funds.
(d)
To encourage service to the underserved of all ages.
(e)
To encourage and enable the sharing of resources between libraries.
(f)
To ensure public participation in carrying out the intent of this act.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026