An act TO AMEND THE LIBRARY LAW, the official text

Stricken language would be deleted from and underlined language would be added to present law.

1 State of Arkansas             As Engrossed: S2/10/25
2 95th General Assembly
                                      A Bill

3 Regular Session, 2025                                             SENATE BILL 181

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5 By: Senator D. Sullivan

6 By: Representative R. Burkes

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8                               For An Act To Be Entitled

9   AN ACT TO AMEND THE LIBRARY LAW; TO AMEND THE

10  REQUIREMENTS FOR THE STATE LIBRARIAN; TO AMEND THE

11  REQUIREMENTS FOR REGIONAL LIBRARY SYSTEM DIRECTORS;

12  AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

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15                              Subtitle

16                       TO AMEND THE LIBRARY LAW; TO AMEND THE

17                       REQUIREMENTS FOR THE STATE LIBRARIAN;

18                       AND TO AMEND THE REQUIREMENTS FOR

19                       REGIONAL LIBRARY SYSTEM DIRECTORS.

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21 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS:

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23  SECTION 1. Arkansas Code � 13-2-204(b), concerning the State

24 Librarian, is amended to read as follows:

25  (b)(1) Except as provided in subdivision (b)(2) of this section, The

26 the State Librarian shall be a person of good professional standing and

27 reputation, holding at least a master's degree from a graduate school of

28 library science accredited by the American Library Association, and shall

29 have had experience in library administration in academic, public, school, or

30 special libraries.

31  (2) Work experience in the field of library science may be

32 substituted for a master's degree from a graduate school of library science

33 accredited by the American Library Association if approved by the board.

34  (3) The requirements under subdivision (b)(2) of this section

35 shall not disqualify the library from receiving state funds.

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    *LGL050*                                                     02-10-2025 11:14:21 LGL050
    As Engrossed: S2/10/25                                                 SB181

1          SECTION 2. Arkansas Code � 13-2-905(c)(2), concerning the regional

2 library directors for regional library systems, is amended to read as

3 follows:

4           (2)(A) Except as provided in subdivision (c)(2)(B) of this

5 section, The the director shall have a master's degree from an accredited

6 American Library Association program.

7           (B) Work experience in the field of library operations may

8 be substituted for a master's degree from an accredited program in library

9 operations if approved by the regional library system board of trustees

10 employing the director.

11          (C) The requirements under subdivision (c)(2)(B) of this

12 section shall not disqualify a regional library system from receiving state

13 funds.

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15                          /s/D. Sullivan

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