NEW JERSEY STATUTES ANNOTATED
TITLE 40. MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES
CHAPTER 54: ESTABLISHMENT; CHAPTER APPLICABLE TO LIBRARIES ESTABLISHED UNDER OTHER LAWS
ARTICLE 1. FREE PUBLIC LIBRARIES
N.J.S.A.
40:54-1: Establishment; chapter applicable to libraries established under other laws
Any municipality may, in the manner hereinafter provided, establish a free public library within its corporate limits.
Every library established under this chapter, and every free public library established pursuant to any general law shall be governed by the provisions of this chapter.
No such library shall be established in any municipality unless assented to by a majority of the legal voters of the municipality, at an election, general or special, at which the question of the adoption of this article shall be submitted to vote by direction of the governing body.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-3: Referendum; notice
The municipal clerk shall cause public notice of such general or special election to be given by advertisement, signed by himself and set up in at least five public places in the municipality for at least ten days previous to the date of such election and published for the same period in two newspapers printed or circulating therein.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-4: Ballot; form and content
The officer charged with the duty of preparing the ballots for such election shall cause the question to be submitted to be printed on the official ballots for such election in substantially the following form:
“To vote upon the public question printed below, if in favor thereof mark a cross (x) or plus (+) in the square at the left of the word YES, and if opposed thereto, mark a cross (x) or plus (+) in the square at the left of the word NO.
“Shall a free public library be established in
[ ] YES……….(name of municipality)
pursuant to sections 40:54-1 to 40:54-29 of
[ ] NO the title Municipalities and Counties of the Revised Statutes?”
N.J.S.A.
40:54-5: Election returns
The election officers of the municipality shall make a true and correct return of the result of such election in writing, under their hands, and said statement shall be entered at large upon the minutes of the governing body.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-6: Vote required for adoption
If a majority of the votes so counted shall be in favor of a free public library, the provisions of this article shall be deemed to have been adopted.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-7: Rejection of proposition; second election
Where any municipality shall vote against the establishment of a free public library such vote shall not preclude the holding of another election, general or special, to vote for or against the adoption of the provisions of this article.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-7.1: Dissolution of free public libraries.
1. a. Any free public library established by referendum pursuant to R.S.40:54-1 et seq., may be dissolved, provided the dissolution is approved by a majority of the legal voters of the municipality, at a general election at which the question of the library’s dissolution shall be submitted to a vote by direction of an ordinance adopted for that purpose by the governing body. If said ordinance shall be adopted, a copy thereof shall be filed with the Director of the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs and with the State Librarian.
b. The municipal clerk shall cause public notice of such general election to be given by advertisement, signed by the clerk and set up in at least five public places in the municipality for at least 10 days previous to the date of such election and published for the same period in two newspapers printed or circulated therein.
c. The officer charged with the duty of preparing the ballots for such election shall cause the question to be submitted to be printed on the official ballots for such election in substantially the following form:
(1) In counties having county libraries established pursuant to R.S.40:33-4:
| To vote upon the public question printed below, if in favor thereof mark a cross (X) or plus (+) in the square at the left of the word “YES,” and if opposed thereto mark a cross (X) or a plus (+) in the square at the left of the word “NO.” | |
|---|---|
| [ ] YES | “Shall the free public library established pursuant to R.S.40:54-1 et seq., in ……………. (name of municipality) be dissolved, effective ………… (date of dissolution) and provision made for assessing, levying, and collecting the special tax assessed, levied, and collected to support the county library system entitling the residents of …………… (name of municipality) to receive the same county library assistance services as are received by other municipalities within the county library system?” |
| [ ] NO | |
(2) In counties having county libraries established pursuant to P.L.1963, c.46 (C.40:33-5.1) or P.L.1977, c.300 (C.40:33-15 et seq.), and in counties having no county libraries established pursuant to R.S.40:33-4:
| To vote upon the public question printed below, if in favor thereof mark a cross (X) or plus (+) in the square at the left of the word “YES,” and if opposed thereto mark a cross (X) or a plus (+) in the square at the left of the word “NO.” | |
|---|---|
| [ ] YES | “Shall the free public library established pursuant to R.S.40:54-1 et seq., in …………………… (name of municipality) be dissolved, effective …….. (date of dissolution)?” |
| [ ] NO | |
(3) If the question presented in paragraph (1) of this subsection regarding municipal libraries in counties having a county library established pursuant to R.S.40:33-4 is approved, the governing body of the municipality shall hold a joint meeting with the library board of trustees and county library governing body as soon as practicable for the purpose of arriving at an agreement as to the implementation of such discontinuance, the use of the library facilities thereafter, the adjustment, apportionment, accounting for, settlement, allowance and satisfaction of the rights and liabilities in or with respect to any property, obligations, or other matters or things connected with the municipal library, and such other matters and things in connection therewith as those governing bodies shall jointly determine. If the governing bodies shall be unable to agree, the matter shall be referred to the Director of the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs for determination.
(4) If the question presented in paragraph (2) of this subsection regarding counties having county libraries established pursuant to P.L.1963, c.46 (C.40:33-5.1) or P.L.1977, c.300 (C.40:33-15 et seq.), and in counties having no county library established pursuant to R.S.40:33-4 is approved, the municipality in which the free public library is located shall assume the assets and liabilities of the free public library upon the date of dissolution; and remaining assets may be anticipated by the municipality as a miscellaneous revenue; provided, however, that the monies shall be used solely and exclusively by the municipality for the purposes of reducing the amount the municipality is required to raise by local property tax levy for municipal purposes. The Director of the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs shall certify that each affected municipality has complied with this section. If the director finds that monies transferred to a municipality under this section are not used by that municipality solely and exclusively to reduce the amount required to be raised by the local property tax levy, then the director shall correct the municipal budget, pursuant to N.J.S.40A:4-86, to ensure that the transferred funds are used for that purpose only.
d. The election officers of the municipality shall make a true and correct return of the result of such election in writing, under their hands, and said statement shall be entered at large upon the minutes of the governing body.
e. If a majority of the votes so counted shall be in favor of the dissolution of the free public library, the provisions of the question shall be deemed to have been adopted.
f. If the question presented in subsection c. of this section is approved, the municipality in which the free public library is located shall assume the assets and liabilities of the free public library upon the date of dissolution, unless other provisions have been made.
g. In accordance with R.S.19:3-6, the brief statement interpreting the public question shall be informative, fair, and balanced. The interpretive statement shall not encourage voters to approve or defeat the public question. The interpretive statement shall read as follows:
“If the voters approve this question, the free public library will be dissolved and the provisions in P.L.2013, c.56 (C.40:54-7.1) shall be followed.”
h. To the extent that any provision in P.L.2013, c.56 (C.40:54-7.1) concerning the dissolution of free public libraries and supplementing chapter 54 of Title 40 of the Revised Statutes conflicts, or is inconsistent, with any other law, including, but not limited to, the initiative and referendum sections of the “Optional Municipal Charter Law,” sections 17-35 through 17-47 of P.L.1950, c.210 (C.40:69A-184 through 40:69A-196), or of the “commission form of government law,” R.S.40:74-5 through 40:74-19, the provisions of P.L.2013, c.56 (C.40:54-7.1) shall prevail and be controlling.
L.2013, c.56, s.1.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-8: Library tax.
a. Within every municipality governed by this article there shall annually be raised by taxation a sum equal to one-third of a mill, unless a higher rate is approved by the voters pursuant to subsection b. of this section, on every dollar of assessable property within such municipality based on the equalized valuation of such property as certified by the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury in accordance with the provisions of R.S.54:4-49. The amount to be raised by taxation for a free public library pursuant to this subsection shall be assessed, levied, and collected in the same manner and at the same time as other municipal purposes taxes are assessed, levied, and collected therein and shall be paid from the disbursing officer to the treasurer of the free public library on a quarterly basis.
b. (1) The governing body of a municipality may by resolution submit to the voters of the municipality, at a general election, a proposition to change the rate of the tax required to annually be raised pursuant to subsection a. of this section, as deemed appropriate for the proper maintenance of a free public library; provided, however, that the rate in the proposition shall not be lower than one-third of a mill. Upon approval of the proposition by a majority of the votes cast by the voters of the municipality, the governing body of the municipality shall implement it in the manner set forth in subsection a. of this section. If the majority of votes cast are against the proposition, the existing rate of the tax to annually be raised for a free public library shall remain unchanged.
(2) Upon petition to the governing body of a municipality signed by qualified voters of the municipality equal in number to at least 15 percent of the votes cast therein at the last preceding general election, filed with the clerk of the municipality at least 90 days before a general election, the governing body shall submit to the voters of the municipality, at the general election, a proposition otherwise authorized pursuant to paragraph (1) of this
subsection.
(3) A proposition under this subsection shall not be submitted to the voters of a municipality more than once in any three-year election period.
(4) An additional sum raised by taxation for a free public library required by a proposition approved pursuant to this subsection shall, for the first tax year in which the proposition is implemented, be exempt from the limitation set forth in section 5 of P.L.1985, c.541 (C.40:54-8.1), and shall not be considered excess funds as set forth in R.S.40:54-15.
(5) If a proposition is approved pursuant to this subsection, the information required to be printed upon the property tax bill pursuant to R.S.54:4-65 shall be adjusted accordingly and shall be reflected on a single line of the property tax bill.
(6) A proposition approved pursuant to this subsection establishing a tax rate higher than one-third of a mill shall expire after 10 tax years or after the tax year in which a new proposition establishing a different tax rate is approved, whichever occurs first. The tax rate shall revert to one-third of a mill upon the expiration of a higher tax rate.
c. Following enactment of P.L.2011, c.38, the Director of the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs shall decrease the municipality’s adjusted tax levy pursuant to subsection d. of section 11 of P.L.2007, c.62 (C.40A:4-45.46) by the amount raised by taxation for a free public library pursuant to this section, so that there is no net impact on the amount of the adjusted tax levy available to the municipality for non-library purposes pursuant to section 9 of P.L.2007, c.62 (C.40A:4-45.44).
d. Such additional sum, as in the judgment of the municipal governing body or appropriate board of the municipality, is necessary for the proper maintenance of a free public library, may be appropriated in the municipal budget from the general purposes municipal tax levy.
amended 1944, c.49; 1985, c.82, s.2; 1985, c.541, s.1; 2011, c.38, s.1; 2017, c.260, s.1.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-8.1: Limitation on increase in amount raised by taxation
5. Any increase in the amount raised by taxation for the municipal library as required by R.S.40:54-8 shall not exceed the total amount expended by the municipality in the previous year plus 15% of the previous year’s total expenditures for the maintenance of a free public library; except that the State Librarian is authorized to approve additional appropriations to any municipality that requests to appropriate an amount in excess of 15% of the previous year’s total library expenditures.
L.1985, c. 541, s.5; amended 2001, c.137, s.53.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-8.2: Preparation of ballots.
4. a. The officer charged with the duty of preparing the ballots for an election in which a proposition is to be submitted to the voters pursuant to subsection b. of R.S.40:54-8 or pursuant to subsection b. of section 7 of P.L.1959, c.155 (C.40:54-29.9) shall cause the proposition to be printed on the official ballots for such election in substantially the following form, as applicable.
(1) If the proposition is to increase the rate of the tax to annually be raised for the support of a free public library established pursuant to R.S.40:54-1 et seq.:
“Shall the rate of the tax annually levied for the support of the free public library in ……………. (name of municipality) be increased from ……………. cents per $100 of assessed
equalized value of real property to …………….. cents per $100 of assessed equalized value of real property?”
(2) If the proposition is to reduce the rate of the tax to annually be raised for the support of a free public library established pursuant to R.S.40:54-1 et seq.:
“Shall the rate of the tax annually levied for the support of the free public library in ……………. (name of municipality) be reduced from ……………. cents per $100 of assessed
equalized value of real property to …………….. cents per $100 of assessed equalized value of real property?”
b. The officer charged with the duty of preparing the ballots for an election in which a proposition is to be submitted to the voters pursuant to subsection b. of R.S.40:54-8 shall also cause an accompanying explanatory statement to be printed on the official ballots for such election, which statement shall include the following, as applicable:
(1) The minimum amount required to annually be raised by taxation for the support of the free public library pursuant to subsection a. of R.S.40:54-8;
(2) The current amount annually raised by taxation for the support of the free public library if above the minimum amount required to annually be raised by taxation pursuant to subsection a. of R.S.40:54-8;
(3) The proposed change in the amount to annually be raised by taxation for the support of the free public library;
(4) The effect of the proposed change on the property taxes of a residential property assessed at the average assessed value of residential properties in the municipality; and
(5) The length of time that a higher tax rate will be in effect, if applicable.
L.2017, c.260, s.4.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-9. Trustees; number, appointment and term; alternates
Immediately upon the establishment by any municipality of a free public library under this article, a board of trustees shall be formed to consist of from seven to nine members, one of whom shall be the mayor or other chief executive officer of the municipality, one of the local superintendents of schools or in the event that there be no such official, the principal with power of supervision over the local school system, or in case such municipality shall have none of the school officials hereinbefore mentioned, then the president of the board of education, and from five to seven citizens to be appointed by the mayor or chief executive, at least four of whom shall be residents of the municipality. The appointments shall be for terms of one, two, three, four and five years, respectively, as they may be selected by the mayor or other chief executive officer, and, except in cities, shall be made with the consent of the governing body. Whenever a board is expanded to include a sixth or seventh citizen, the additional members shall serve terms of five years. The mayor or other chief executive officer and the superintendent of schools or the principal, as the case may be, serving as a member of the board, may, respectively, appoint an alternate to act in his place and stead with authority to attend all meetings of the board and, in his absence, to vote on all questions before the board.
Amended by L.1952, c. 240, p.806, s.1, eff. July 1, 1952; L.1970, c. 143, s.1 eff. July 17, 1970; L.1984, c. 130, s.1, eff. Aug. 23, 1984.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-10: Vacancies; how filled
Upon the expiration of the term of office of any trustee the mayor or other chief executive officer of the municipality shall appoint a citizen for a term of five years in the same manner as the original appointment was made. Vacancies occurring in the board of trustees shall be filled for the unexpired term only, in the same manner as the original appointments are made.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-11: Trustees; corporate name; organization; officers; certificate; recording and filing
The board of trustees shall be a body corporate under the name of “the trustees of the free public library of (name of municipality)”. It shall have corporate powers of succession, may sue and be sued, and adopt a corporate seal. It shall meet at a convenient time and place in the municipality within ten days after its appointment, and shall immediately proceed to organize by the election from its members of a president, treasurer, and secretary, who shall hold their offices for one year and until their successors are elected.
The members shall make and execute under their hands and seals a certificate setting forth their appointment and their organization and the names of the officers elected, such certificate to be acknowledged in the same manner as is required of conveyances of real estate, and recorded in the clerk’s office of the county in which the municipality is located. They shall also send a certified copy of the certificate to the office of the secretary of state, at Trenton, to be there filed of record, but shall not be required to pay any fees for such recording and filing. The certificate, or copy thereof duly certified by the secretary of state or by the county clerk, shall be evidence in all courts and places of the incorporation of the board.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-12: Powers of board.
The board shall hold in trust and manage all property of the library. It may rent rooms, or, when proper, construct buildings for the use of the library, purchase books, pamphlets, documents, papers and other reading matter, hire librarians, and other necessary personnel, and fix their compensation, make proper rules and regulations for the government of the library, and generally do all things necessary and proper for the establishment and maintenance of the free public library in the municipality. The board may also transfer to and receive from other libraries books, magazines, prints, maps and other related library materials for the purpose of augmenting the interlibrary loan service.
Amended 1949, c. 98; 2001, c.137, s.54.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-12.1: Purchases not requiring advertisements for bids
The board of trustees of the free public library of any municipality or of a joint free public library may, within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the board, purchase the following without advertising for bids therefor: (1) library materials including books, periodicals, newspapers, documents, pamphlets, photographs, reproductions, microforms, pictorial or graphic works, musical scores, maps, charts, globes, sound recordings, slides, films, filmstrips, video and magnetic tapes, other printed or published matter, and audiovisual and other materials of a similar nature; (2) necessary binding or rebinding of library materials; and (3) specialized library services.
L. 1968, c. 227, s.2, eff. July 31, 1968.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-12.2: Free public library administrators, duties
38. The director or other chief administrative officer of a free public library in any municipality shall:
a. cause copies of the voter registration forms and instructions furnished under subsection f. of section 16 of P.L. 1974, c. 30 (C. 19:31-6.4) to be displayed at the principal and any branch location of that library and to be made available to each person who, when appearing in person at such location, may wish, on a voluntary basis, to register to vote;
b. provide for the continuous supply of the forms and instructions specified in subsection a. of this section to each such principal or branch location; and
c. provide the forms and instructions specified in subsection a. of this section in both the English and Spanish languages to each library which provides services under any program administered by the library which is located in any county in which bilingual sample ballots must be provided pursuant to R.S.19:14-21, R.S.19:49-4 or section 2 of P.L.1965, c. 29 (C. 19:23-22.4).
L.1994, c. 182, 38.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-13: Trustees; treasurer; bond and duties
The treasurer of the board shall give bond in an amount to be fixed by the mayor in cities and by the governing body in municipalities other than cities, payable to the municipality by its corporate name, conditioned for the faithful performance and discharge of his duties. The board shall, by its treasurer, upon its warrant signed by its president, receive from the disbursing officer of the municipality the money raised therein for library purposes, as provided in section 40:54-8 of this title.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-14: Trustees; compensation; limitation on amount of indebtedness
The trustees shall receive no compensation for their services, and shall not incur any expense or enter into any obligations to an amount in excess of the annual appropriation for library purposes and of the funds on hand.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-15 Annual report, identification of excess funds to municipality, transfer procedure.
a. The board of trustees shall make an annual report to the chief financial officer of the municipality which shall include a statement setting forth in detail all public revenues received by the library, all State aid received by the library, all expenditures made by the library and the balance of funds available. Notwithstanding the requirements of R.S.40:54-8 pertaining to the amount required to be raised and appropriated for library purposes, the annual report shall identify excess funds that the board is required to approve and transfer to the municipality as miscellaneous revenue. The excess funds transferred shall be any amount that exceeds the sum of the amount of the audited operating expenditures of the library for the most recent available year, plus an additional 20% of those operating expenditures, excluding: (1) funds restricted for capital projects and grants; and (2) any devise, bequest, or donation made to establish or maintain the free public library, to be maintained as surplus. The annual report shall also include an analysis of the state and condition of the library and shall be sent to the municipal governing body and to the State Library. The State Librarian shall prescribe by regulation the form of all such reports.
b. (1) Except as limited in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the board of trustees of a municipal free library shall adopt a resolution of its intent to transfer excess funds to the municipality, as identified in its annual report pursuant to subsection a. of this section.
(2) The board of trustees of a municipal free library established after the effective date of P.L.2008, c.8 shall not adopt a resolution of intent pursuant to this subsection before the eighth budget year following its establishment.
c. Once the board of trustees has adopted a resolution of intent pursuant to subsection b. of this section, it shall forward the resolution to the State Librarian for approval, along with any other information required by the State Librarian and in accordance with procedures and forms promulgated by the State Librarian in consultation with the Director of the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs. The State Librarian shall approve any resolution upon a determination that all of the following provisions are met:
(1) the municipal free library will still retain a sum equal to the amount of the audited operating expenditures of the library for the most recent available year plus an additional 20% of that amount, excluding: (a) funds restricted for capital projects and grants; and (b) any devise, bequest, or donation made to establish or maintain the municipal free library, to be maintained as surplus;
(2) the municipality and the municipal free library are in compliance with all conditions imposed by rule or regulation promulgated by the State Librarian for per capita library aid to public libraries according to the “state library aid law,” N.J.S.18A:74-1 et seq., and pertaining to appropriations for the maintenance of a municipal free library according to R.S.40:54-8 or section 2 of P.L.1959, c.155 (C.40:54-29.4) in the case of a joint free public library;
(3) there are sufficient funds remaining in the municipal free library’s operating budget for the maintenance of the library for the balance of the fiscal year in which the transfer of funds to the municipality occurs; and
(4) the library board of trustees has a written plan of at least three years that reflects that the long-term funding needs of the library will be met, and that any capital expense will contribute to the provision of efficient and effective library services, and that the written plan has been approved by the State Librarian.
d. Upon approval of its resolution of intent by the State Librarian pursuant to subsection c. of this section, the board of trustees shall cause the amount of the excess funds identified in its resolution to be transferred to the municipality.
amended 1985, c.541, s.2; 2001, c.137, s.55; 2008, c.8, s.1; 2010, c.83; 2011, c.224, s.1.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-16: Appropriation for furnishing
Any municipality that shall establish a library under the provisions of this article, or that has heretofore established a free public library pursuant to law, and has purchased or shall purchase lands, and has erected or shall erect buildings thereon, or both, for the purposes of a free public library, and has made or shall make appropriations therefor under this article, may make additional appropriation for the equipment, furnishing and decorating of the library building in the manner following: The board of trustees shall certify to the board or body having charge and control of the finances of the municipality the amount necessary for the equipment, furnishing and decorating of the library building, and thereupon such board or body may by resolution, at its discretion and with the approval of the mayor or other chief executive officer of the municipality, make appropriation of such money and authorize and empower the board of trustees of the free public library to expend such sum of money. Upon the passage of such resolution the board of trustees may enter into contracts for such equipment, furnishing and decorating, and expend money therefor to the amount of the appropriation.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-17: Fines expended for library purposes
The board of trustees of the free public library may use and expend for library purposes all moneys received from library fines and shall account for such receipts and expenditure in the same manner as is required as to funds appropriated to the board of trustees by the governing body of the municipality.
Amended by L.1969, c. 295, s.1, eff. Jan. 16, 1970.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-17.1: Moneys from operation of photocopy machines
The board of trustees of a free public library may use and expend for library purposes all moneys received from the operation of photocopy machines within the library and shall account for the receipts and expenditures in the same manner as is required for funds appropriated to the board of trustees by the governing body of the municipality.
L.1983, c. 70, s.1, eff. Feb. 19, 1983.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-18: Use of money paid by library to municipal treasury
The governing body of any municipality may appropriate in the annual budget for the use of the free public library of such municipality a sum equal to the amount of the money paid into the general treasury by the free public library in the preceding fiscal year. The sum so appropriated shall be available for expenditure by the board of trustees of the free public library of the municipality for library purposes, shall be in addition to sums otherwise appropriated by law for library purposes and shall be controlled by the same laws as other budget appropriations.
Last Updated: October 2023.
