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DEFINITION OF A PUBLIC LIBRARY IN COLORADO <br />The legislative declaration in the Library Law, CRS §24-90-102, states that it is the policy in Colorado to ensure <br />equal access to information and materials. Section 105 of the Library Law directs the State Librarian to develop <br />service standards to guide library development. Any entity wishing to be defined as a public library in Colorado <br />must meet or exceed the following criteria: <br />Legal Responsibilities <br />1. Be legally established under Colorado Library Law (CRS §24-90-101 et seq.) <br />2. Comply with Colorado Library Law rules and regulations, and any other local, Colorado, or federal laws <br />that affect library operations. <br />3. Have dedicated space that meets the criteria of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applicable to <br />libraries. <br />4. Have a "Library Governing Authority3"or "Governing Authority" submit statistical data for the Public <br />Library Annual Report in a timely manner. <br />Library Administration and Management <br />5. Provide free access to basic services as defined by written policies regarding lending, borrowing, and <br />circulation services as approved by the library's Governing Authority. <br />6. Have paid staff present during all hours of service. Pay of staff must be based on cost of living standards <br />within the community. <br />7. Prepare and utilize a long-range strategic plan for continuing improvement. <br />Access and Services <br />8. Have an ongoing collections budget from local tax funds and a collection management plan for the <br />purchase of materials and electronic access. <br />9. Provide at least one device with public access to the Internet, a printer, an email address, a website, an <br />online information catalog, and databases. <br />10. Be open to the public a minimum of 20 hours each week. These hours will include morning, afternoon, <br />evening, and/or weekend hours based on users' and potential users' disposable time. All service outlets of <br />libraries providing multiple access points must be open to the public for no fewer than 20 hours a week. <br />3 e.g., board of county commissioners, city council, town board, or library board of trustees, as the context requires. <br />3 <br />