Private Acts of 1974 Chapter 375

SECTION 1.  There shall be created in Grainger County, a commission to be known as the Grainger County Governmental Library Commission.  Said Commission shall be composed of four (4) members.  Two (2) shall be appointed by the circuit court judge and two (2) members shall be appointed by the chancery court judge for a term of two years on a calendar year basis.  Provided, however, the judges shall initially appoint one-half of the commissioners to serve through the balance of the calendar year in which this act becomes effective, and one-half through the balance of the subsequent calendar year, so that the commissioners will thus serve through the balance of the calendar year in which this act becomes effective, and one-half through the balance of the subsequent calender year, so that the commissioners will thus serve staggered terms.  They shall serve without salary, and shall themselves elect a chairman and a secretary from their members.  Each commissioner shall serve until his successor is appointed.  In the event of vacancy in the office of a commissioner by death, resignation, refusal to serve, or otherwise, such vacancy shall be filled for the balance of said term two (2) years by the judge or his successor in office who made the original appointment of said commissioner.

SECTION 2.  The purpose of the commission shall be to establish, acquire, maintain and operate a county governmental library.  The commission shall have full power and authority to acquire by purchase, gift, rent, lease, loan or otherwise, law books, codes, treatises, periodicals or other works of law, government, medicine, literature or other written materials that they may deem necessary or beneficial to the courts, state, county and municipal officials, members of the bar and the public, for research or use in the preparation, trial or decisions of any matters that come or may come before the courts of the county and state, or of use by public officials or the public, on questions of law or government; also to acquire in like manner furniture, fixtures, bookcases, supplies and all things necessary to establish, maintain and operate the county governmental library; together with the right to employ and discharge librarians and other assistants, to fix salaries of said employees; and in their discretion to make all reasonable rules and regulations governing the operation and use of the library.  Space in which to house the library shall be provided by the county in the Grainger County Court House in Rutledge without cost to the county governmental library commission.  All books, furniture and other equipment so purchased or acquired shall become the property of the county.

SECTION 3.  For the purpose of financing said library, one dollar ($1.00) of the county litigation tax on all civil and criminal cases in all courts, shall be deposited, by the county Trustee, in the County Governmental Library Fund and used only for the purpose set out in this act.  On approval of a majority of the commission the chairman and secretary shall draw warrants on the county trustee is authorized and directed to make payment out of such fund upon all warrants presented in compliance with the provisions of this Act and signed by the chairman and secretary.

SECTION 4.  The commission shall have full power and authority if necessary to provide sufficient operating funds, to assess lawyers and others, except judges and public officials, reasonable dues or charges for the use of the library, and to make charges for the use, damage or destruction of books or other property, and that any income from said dues or charges shall be paid by the commission into the office of the county trustee in a like manner and at like times as monies collected hereunder shall be paid by the clerks of the various counts to the county trustee.

SECTION 5.  The commission shall keep written minutes of their meetings, at which meetings a majority of all members of the commission then serving shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the commission shall keep a record of monies received and disbursed, purchases, loss or destruction of books or other property, and a property inventory, with reasonable accuracy.

SECTION 6.  This Act shall have no effect unless it is approved by a two-thirds (⅔) vote of the quarterly county court of Grainger County before July 31, 1974.  Its approval or non-approval shall be proclaimed by the presiding officer of the quarterly county court and certified by him to the secretary of state.

SECTION 7.  For the purpose of approving or rejecting the provisions of this Act, it shall be effective upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.  For all other purposes, it shall become effective upon being approved as provided in Section 6.

Passed:  March 28, 1974.