Public Act 103-0100

HB2789 Enrolled           LRB103 29629 AWJ 56025 b

    AN ACT concerning local government.

    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:

    Section 5. The Illinois Library System Act is amended by
changing Sections 1 and 3 and by adding Section 8.7 as follows:

    (75 ILCS 10/1)  (from Ch. 81, par. 111)

    Sec. 1. Because the state has a financial responsibility
in promoting public education, and because the public library
is a vital agency serving all levels of the educational
process, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the state to
encourage the improvement of free public libraries and to
encourage cooperation among all types of libraries in
promoting the sharing of library resources, including digital
resources. In keeping with this policy, provision is hereby
made for a program of state grants designed to establish,
develop and operate a network of library systems covering the
entire state.

    It is further declared to be the policy of the State to
encourage and protect the freedom of libraries and library
systems to acquire materials without external limitation and
to be protected against attempts to ban, remove, or otherwise
restrict access to books or other materials.

(Source: P.A. 83-411.)

    (75 ILCS 10/3)  (from Ch. 81, par. 113)

    Sec. 3. The State Librarian and the Illinois State Library
his staff shall administer the provisions of this Act and
shall prescribe such rules and regulations as are necessary to
carry the provisions of this Act into effect.

    The rules and regulations established by the State
Librarian for the administration of this Act shall be designed
to achieve the following standards and objectives:

    A provide library service for every citizen in the state
by extending library facilities to areas not now served.

    B provide library materials for student needs at every
educational level.

    C provide adequate library materials to satisfy the
reference and research needs of the people of this state.

    D provide an adequate staff of professionally trained
librarians for the state.

    E adopt the American Library Association’s Library Bill of
Rights that indicates materials should not be proscribed or
removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval or, in
the alternative, develop a written statement declaring the
inherent authority of the library or library system to provide
an adequate collection stock of books and other materials
sufficient in size and varied in kind and subject matter to
satisfy the library needs of the people of this state and
prohibit the practice of banning specific books or resources.

    F provide adequate library outlets and facilities
convenient in time and place to serve the people of this state.

    G encourage existing and new libraries to develop library
systems serving a sufficiently large population to support
adequate library service at reasonable cost.

    H foster the economic and efficient utilization of public
funds.

    I promote the full utilization of local pride,
responsibility, initiative and support of library service and
at the same time employ state aid as a supplement to local
support.

    The Advisory Committee of the Illinois State Library shall
confer with, advise and make recommendations to the State
Librarian regarding any matter under this Act and particularly
with reference to the formation of library systems.

(Source: Laws 1965, p. 3077.)

    (75 ILCS 10/8.7 new)

    Sec. 8.7. State grants; book banning. In order to be
eligible for State grants, a library or library system shall
adopt the American Library Association’s Library Bill of
Rights that indicates materials should not be proscribed or
removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval or, in
the alternative, develop a written statement prohibiting the
practice of banning books or other materials within the
library or library system.

The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.

I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.

V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.

VI. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

VII. All people, regardless of origin, age, background, or views, possess a right to privacy and confidentiality in their library use. Libraries should advocate for, educate about, and protect people’s privacy, safeguarding all library use data, including personally identifiable information.