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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fourth Legislature, Second Regular Session
board of library examiners; continuation
Purpose
Continues the Arizona Board of Library Examiners (Board) for eight years and modifies Board membership and term lengths.
Background
The Board is composed of the Director of the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records (Director), the librarian of the University of Arizona, the librarian of the Phoenix Public Library and two county librarians appointed by the Director. The Board passes upon the qualifications of persons desiring to become county librarians and may adopt rules to carry out the Board's purposes (A.R.S. § 11-906).
Upon the establishment of a county free library, the county board of supervisors must appoint a county librarian to serve at the pleasure of the county board of supervisors. A person must receive a certificate of qualification for office from the Board in order to be eligible for appointment to the office of the county librarian (A.R.S. § 11-908). All employees of county free libraries whose duties require special training must be classified in grades and pass an examination established by the county librarian with the advice and approval of the Board (A.R.S. § 11-909).
The Senate Government Committee of Reference (COR) held a public meeting on January 9, 2020, to consider the Board’s responses to the sunset factors and receive public testimony. The COR recommended that the Legislature continue the Board for eight years (COR final report).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Expands Board membership to include a position-at-large, appointed by the Director.
2. Requires county librarian Board members to serve three-year terms, rather than a one-year term.
3. Eliminates the requirement that county free library employees whose duties require special training:
a) be classified in grades established by the county librarian and approved by the Board;
b) pass an examination appropriate to the position; and
c) disclose satisfactory experience in library work.
4. Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2020, the Board until July 1, 2028.
5. Repeals the Board on January 1, 2029.
6. Contains a purpose statement.
7. Makes technical and conforming changes.
8. Becomes effective on the general effective date, with a retroactive provision as noted.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 6, 2020
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