Assembly Bill No. 407–Assemblymen Hardy, Collins, Knecht, Brown, Mabey, Andonov, Beers, Christensen, Conklin, Geddes, Goicoechea, Grady, Griffin, Gustavson, Hettrick, Koivisto, Manendo, McClain, Oceguera, Pierce and Weber

 

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AN ACT relating to public schools; authorizing the boards of trustees of school districts to grant the use of public school libraries to the general public; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

 

    Whereas, The Washoe County Library System has nearly 20 years of experience with successfully operating joint-use libraries with the Washoe County Senior Center and the Washoe County School District; and

    Whereas, By opening the doors of the public school libraries to the general public during times that are not regular school hours, the Washoe County Library System and the Washoe County School District have succeeded in providing extensive library resources to local neighborhoods in a manner that benefits children, their families and the community; and

    Whereas, The access to books by the general public and the provision of family literacy programs are inextricably linked to breaking the cycle of poverty and illiteracy; and

    Whereas, Expanding the use of public school libraries by members of the general public throughout this state would greatly benefit and improve the quality of life for the residents of this state as well as represent a beneficial economy of resources; now, therefore,

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN

SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

 

    Section 1. Chapter 393 of NRS is hereby amended by adding

thereto a new section to read as follows:

    1.  The board of trustees of a school district may grant the use

of libraries in the public schools located within the school district

to the general public during times that are not regular school

hours.

    2.  A member of the general public who possesses a library

card issued by a public library, as that term is defined in NRS

379.0057, may use that library card to check out books at a school

library that is open to the general public.

    3.  The board of trustees of a school district may enter into

one or more cooperative agreements with:

    (a) The trustees of a consolidated, county, district, town or

other public library located within the county in which the school

district is located; and

    (b) The governing authority of a city library located within the

county in which the school district is located,

for the provision of library personnel and resources for a school

library located within the school district that is open to the general

public pursuant to this section.

    4.  If the board of trustees of a school district grants the use of

school libraries to the general public, the board of trustees may:

    (a) Solicit and accept gifts, grants and other support for the

costs and expenses associated with the use of the school libraries

by the general public.

    (b) Enhance its outreach to families with preschool children,

parents who need to improve their literacy skills and the general

community.

    Sec. 2.  NRS 393.071 is hereby amended to read as follows:

    393.071  The board of trustees of any school district may grant

the use of school buildings or grounds for public, literary, scientific,

recreational or educational meetings[,] or for the discussion of

matters of general or public interest upon such terms and conditions

as the board deems proper, subject to the limitations, requirements

and restrictions set forth in NRS 393.071 to 393.0719, inclusive[.] ,

and section 1 of this act.

    Sec. 3.  NRS 393.0713 is hereby amended to read as follows:

    393.0713  [No]

    1.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, the privilege

of using the buildings or grounds [shall] must not be granted for a

period exceeding 1 year. The privilege is renewable and revocable

in the discretion of the board of trustees at any time.

    2.  The time limitation set forth in subsection 1 does not apply

to the use of a school library pursuant to section 1 of this act.

    Sec. 4.  NRS 393.0714 is hereby amended to read as follows:

    393.0714  The board of trustees of any school district may grant

the use of school buildings, grounds and equipment without charge

to [public] :

    1.  Public agencies for the purpose of holding examinations for

the selection of personnel.

    2.  The general public for use of school libraries within the

school district pursuant to section 1 of this act.

    Sec. 5.  NRS 393.0719 is hereby amended to read as follows:

    393.0719  1.  Lighting, heating, [janitor] janitorial service and

the services of the person referred to in NRS 393.0718, when

needed, and other necessary expenses, in connection with the use of

public school buildings and grounds pursuant to NRS 393.071 to

393.0719, inclusive, [shall] and section 1 of this act must be

provided for out of school district funds of the respective school

districts in the same manner as similar services are provided for,

and except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, subject to

reimbursement by the user in accordance with such policies and

regulations as the board of trustees may adopt.

    2.  The board of trustees of a school district may not request

reimbursement for the costs and expenses associated with the use

of a school library by the general public pursuant to section 1 of

this act.

    Sec. 6.  This act becomes effective on July 1, 2003.

 

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