County library organizations currently permitted by Wisconsin Statutes:



 
County
 
State
 
Local
 
Attributes
 
Examples
 
1
 Consolidated Co. Library Single county state system -none (although there can be “holdouts”) Organized under ss 43.21 Performs the statutory obligations of state systems and provides all direct public library service in the county and meets the service mandates for public library systems(ss 43.17) None currently in Wis.
2 (Single county systems are considered agencies of the County) Single county state system Municipal public libraries Organized under ss 43.19 Single county systems are considered agencies of the county. Municipal libraries provide direct services to their residents; the system may offer direct services to individuals residing outside municipalities with libraries. The system must meet the service mandates as contained in ss 43.17. Rock County (Arrowhead) Waukesha County
3 Consolidated Co. Library Member of a multi county federated state system -none (although there can be “holdouts”) Agency of the county; all direct library services are provided at the county level, unless municpalities opt to provide their own library services. Portage County/SCLS Hennepin Co, MN (MPLS is independent) Ramsey Co., MN (St. Paul is independent)
4 County Library Service Member of a multi county federated state system Municipal public libraries The current arrangement in Dane County (since 1976, the creation of systems) Dane County/SCLS
5 None (county meets state obligation to reimburse municipalities 70% of operating costs) Member of a multicounty federated State system Municipal public libraries No services provided at the county level. Libraries are obligated by system membership to serve residents of other libraried municipalities without reimbursement. Many counties in Wisconsin
6 None (county meets state obligations to reimburse municipalities 70% of operating costs) Not a member of a state funded library system Municipal public libraries No services provided at the county level. No system services. No cross municipal borrowing reimbursement; no obligation of libraries to serve residents of other libraried municipalities None in Wisconsin (all counties are members of systems).
7 May participate in a joint library. Joint libraries may be members of federated library systems. May participate in a joint library. Joint libraries may be formed by two or more municipalities or a county and one or more municipalities. Usually one municipality acts as the fiscal agent. Rhinelander Area Library


Present elsewhere in the United States but not currently permitted under Wisconsin law:
 
County
 
State
 
Local
 
Attributes
 
Examples
 
8 None Consolidated multicounty state system None 1 central library, remote branches (sometimes facilities are owned and maintained by their municipalities.) Many rural library systems in MN
9 District County Library Optional – member of a state funded library system None Separate taxing district, elected board. Legislation currently under consideration by state library association. District library would operate all library services. Facilities would be owned and maintained by the district. Cuyahoga Co., Ohio (Cleveland Public is a separate district)
10 In the presence of some library districts, the county could operate a county library service, be a consolidated county (with the district(s) as holdouts), or simply make minimum payments. Optional – member of a state funded library system Districts created by contiguous municipalities (cities, villages, towns), at least one which has operated a library since 1990. Districts with the above characteristics could exist within a county that operates a consolidated library or a library service, or does neither. It could co-exist with municipal libraries or with joint libraries operating in other parts of the county. Illinois has both municpal libraries and library districts. Counties do not have a major role in library service in Illinois


Summary of options for various levels of government:

State Funded regional public library systems -can consist of 1 county or more than 1 county. Can be federated or consolidated (only single county systems can be consolidated).
Counties– can be consolidated and a state funded regional system or consolidated and a member of a federated regional system. Cities and villages can decline to participate in a consolidated county library by continuing to operate their own library. In some consolidated libraries, library facilities continue to be a local responsibility.

         - Can be a county library service and provide a mix of direct and indirect services.

         - Can have neither and only offer mandated payments to municipal libraries within the county. Municipalities– (villages and cities) can operate a library and can exempt itself from a county library tax if it taxes above that and if it meets county standards (if they exist).
- (towns) can not operate a public library without the approval of the county library board and the county board of supervisors.
- (villages and cities) can form a joint library with other cities or villages or a county as long as one of them operated a library since 1990 or earlier.
Public Library Districts – Enabling legislation has been drafted for consideration by the Wisconsin legislature. It would permit the formation of a public library district which would be governed by an elected board. The district would be established by referendum. A tax rate on property and/or a .1% sales tax would also need to be approved by referenda.

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