The New Mexico State Library is establishing and implementing a new rule, the 4.5.10 New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC) “Rural Libraries Endowment Grants” to administer funds generated from the endowment established by the New Mexico Legislature in 2019 (Rural Library Development, Program & Fund) and amended in 2021 (Definition of Rural Library).
An online public rule hearing has been set for 1:00 PM on November 30, 2021. Information on how to join the meeting is included in the Public Hearing Notice below.
We are accepting written comments and will post them online at https://libguides.nmstatelibrary.org/c.php?g=1188984.
Information on where to send written comments is included in the Public Hearing Notice below. Please feel free to share this information with interested parties who may not be subscribe to the Hitchhiker.
NEW MEXICO STATE LIBRARY PUBLIC RULE HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the New Mexico State Library (NMSL) will convene an online public hearing on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at 1:00 PM.
Interested parties may attend by way of the following link: https://nmculture-org.zoom.us/j/81348393051?pwd=aGFsRmFuVDBlWXlFeXY0alFOZmlPUT09. Following the hearing, the NMSL will consider public comments and adopt the rule.
The purpose of the hearing is to consider implementing a new rule 4.5.10 NMAC, Rural Libraries Endowment Grants. The NMSL proposes to implement the new rule in order to facilitate the effective administration of rural libraries endowment grants for public libraries.
The statutory authority for the proposed 4.5.10 NMAC is found in NMSA 1978 § 18-18-1 (2019), which establishes the rural libraries endowment fund established in the state treasury to support the preservation, development and establishment of rural libraries throughout the state by providing funding for rural libraries’ operational and capital needs and funding for the delivery of specialized services to rural libraries. Section 18-18-2(A) directs the state librarian to provide grants directly benefiting developing rural libraries and established rural libraries and grants for the establishment of developing rural libraries in cities, towns and villages without libraries. Section 18-18-2 further directs the state librarian to use money allocated for specialized services to rural libraries from the rural libraries endowment fund to provide specialized services to rural libraries. NMSA 1978 §18-18-4(D)(2019) defines specialized services as professional development opportunities, program support, information technology support and other capacity building services, as defined by the state librarian.
The proposed rule is available on the NMSL website, https://libguides.nmstatelibrary.org/c.php?g=1188984, and at the NMSL office located in the Garrey Carruthers State Library Building, 1209 Camino Carlos Rey, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507. To request that a copy of the proposed rule be mailed to you, submit your request in writing to New Mexico State Library, 1209 Camino Carlos Rey, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507, by email to eli.guinnee@state.nm.us, or via fax to (505) 476-9776.
The NMSL is currently accepting public comments on the proposed rule. Additionally, any person may join the online hearing to submit their comments. Written comments may be submitted by mail to: New Mexico State Library, 1209 Camino Carlos Rey, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507, by email to eli.guinnee@state.nm.us, or via fax to (505) 476-9776. Written comments should be submitted for the NMSL’s consideration no later than 10:00 AM on November 30, 2021. Written comments will be posted on the NMSL’s website.
Individuals in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing should contact Eli Guinnee at 505-476-9762 or eli.guinnee@state.nm.us at least ten business days prior to the hearing.
*Published in the New Mexico Register Vol. XXXIII, Issue 20