§9315. Development of local libraries.

(a) Vote on library tax; approval.--The qualified voters of a municipality shall determine at a special election whether to establish an annual special library tax on all taxable property of the municipality for the establishment of, maintenance of and aid to a local library under the following procedures:

(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the municipal officers of a municipality may submit to the qualified voters the question of the library tax at any time.

(2) If petitioned for by 3% of the number of individuals who voted in the last preceding general or municipal election, the municipal officers of a municipality shall submit to the qualified voters the question of the library tax.

(3) A special election under this subsection shall be held at the time of the next general, municipal or primary election that occurs not less than 60 days from:

(i) the date of the decision of the municipal officers to submit the question of the library tax; or

(ii) the date of submission of the petition under paragraph (2).

(4) If the majority of votes cast approves of the library tax, at the first meeting following the official announcement of the results of the election, the municipal officers shall:

(i) Take the necessary steps to levy and collect the tax.

(ii) Appoint a board of library directors to have exclusive control of the library and library tax revenue as provided in section 9318 (relating to local library governance).

(b) Timing and amount of tax rate.--The following shall apply:

(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the library tax established under this section shall be an annual tax which shall remain in effect until another vote is taken to change it.

(2) The municipal officers of the municipality that have approved the library tax may increase the rate without submitting the question to the voters.

(c) Levy and collection.--The library tax shall be levied and collected in the same manner as other taxes in the municipality and shall be in addition to all other taxes, unless the municipality incorporates the library tax in the general levy.

(d) Use of tax proceeds.--The library tax may not be used for any purpose other than the establishment of, maintenance of and aid to a local library.

(e) Contract for library service.--The following shall apply:

(1) A municipality may contract with the managers or owners of an existing local library for public library service to the residents of the municipality, whether the library is located in the same or another municipality. The contract may be renewed as permitted by the terms of the contract.

(2) The municipal officers of a municipality may make appropriations from current municipal revenue or moneys raised by the library tax to pay the contractual obligations under paragraph (1).

(3) If a special library tax is levied, all income from the tax shall be used for the establishment of, maintenance of and aid to the local library with which the municipal officers have entered into contract.

(f) Limitation on establishment of new libraries.--The following shall apply:

(1) No new library may be established under the provisions of this chapter in any municipality where there is a local library which:

(i) is open to the use of all the residents of the municipality; and

(ii) meets the minimum standards recommended by the State Librarian as conditions for participation in State aid.

(2) All State aid authorized under this chapter shall be given to an existing local library meeting the provisions of paragraph (1).

(g) Multiple libraries in municipality.--If two or more libraries receive State aid from the same municipality and were established on or before July 20, 1917, any appropriation authorized by this chapter shall be divided between those libraries according to the terms of any agreement previously entered into between those libraries and approved by the State Librarian.