N.J.S.A.
40:54-19: Devises and bequests to trustees.
The board of trustees may receive, hold and manage any devise, bequest or donation heretofore made or hereafter to be made and given for the establishment, increase or maintenance of a free public library within the municipality. Any devise, bequest, or donation made pursuant to this section shall not be deemed surplus or transferred by the board of trustees, pursuant to the provisions of R.S.40:54-15, to the municipality.
Amended 2011, c.224, s.2.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-19.1: Loan of funds received as gift or bequest
The board of trustees of the free public library may, upon the application of the governing body of the municipality, loan, upon “tax anticipation notes” or “bond anticipation notes” of the municipality, any funds heretofore or hereafter received, either by the board of trustees of the free public library or by the governing body, as a gift or bequest for free public library purposes and being held and managed by the board of trustees, or subject to their direction pursuant to the provisions of article one of chapter fifty-four of Title 40 of the Revised Statutes, pending the use thereof for the purposes for which the gift or bequest was made.
L.1941, c. 67, p. 152, s.1. Amended by L.1942, c. 139, p. 429, s.1, eff. May 6, 1942.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-19.2: Strict compliance with law in making loans required
In the making of any loan authorized by the provisions of section one of this act the pertinent provisions of chapters one and two of Title 40 of the Revised Statutes shall, in all respects, be strictly complied with.
L.1941, c. 67, p. 152, s.2. Amended by, L.1942, c. 139, p. 430, s.2, eff. May 6, 1942.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-19.3: Investment of funds; regulation of bonds or securities
The board of trustees of the free public library may invest its funds in any interest-bearing obligations of the United States of America, or in interest-bearing bonds of the State of New Jersey, or any county or municipality of said state, or in any other securities authorized for investments by trustees under and in accordance with the provisions of article 2 of chapter 15 of Title 3A of the New Jersey Statutes, but the authorization to invest funds in any such obligations or bonds or securities shall be by resolution adopted by a majority vote of all the members of the board of trustees at any regular or special meeting of the board.
All such obligations or bonds or securities shall be registered in the official name of the board of trustees.
As used in this section invest means the buying and selling of authorized obligations, bonds and securities.
L.1942, c. 139, p. 430, s.3. Amended by L.1968, c. 217, s.1 eff. July 24, 1968; L. 1973, c. 344, s.1, eff. Dec. 27, 1973.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-19.4: Custody of securities; report; minutes
When any obligations or bonds purchased by the board of trustees are received by the board, the treasurer of the board shall immediately record the receiving thereof in an appropriate manner and shall, unless otherwise previously directed by the board of trustees, promptly deliver the same to the clerk of the municipality for safe-keeping. At the next regular or special meeting after the receipt of such obligations or bonds, said treasurer shall present a written report to the board, setting forth the amounts of the obligations or bonds so received, and the dates, numbers and interest periods thereof and the date of delivery thereof to the clerk of the municipality. The secretary of the board of trustees shall record in the minutes of such regular or special meeting of the board the date of receipt of such obligations or bonds by the treasurer, the amounts, dates, numbers and interest periods thereof and the date on which they were delivered to the clerk of the municipality for safe-keeping.
L.1942, c. 139, p. 430, s.4.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-19.5: Income from investments
All interests, income or profit which may be realized by the board of trustees from the investment, pursuant to this or any other act, of any such funds shall be added to the principal of such funds and be used for the same purpose or purposes for or toward which the principal gift or bequest was made until the purpose or purposes for or toward which such gift or bequest was made shall have been accomplished.
L. 1942, c. 139, p. 431, s.5.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-20: Gifts of works of art; acceptance and maintenance
Any free public library may accept gifts and bequests of paintings, statuary, ceramics and other art objects, and may care for and maintain them in accordance with the provisions of such gift or bequest.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-21: Acceptance of conditional gifts generally
In any municipality in which there shall have been established a free public library pursuant to law, the governing body may, by resolution, accept gifts or bequests for the purpose of building a library building therein which may be made on condition that a sum not exceeding ten per cent of the amount of such gift or bequest be annually appropriated for the maintenance and support of such library, or which may be made on the above condition and on the further condition that the municipality to which such gift is made shall also provide a suitable site for the building. When any such conditional gift is accepted by any municipality such amount as may be required by the condition of the gift for the support and use of the library may be raised annually by taxation.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-22: Custodian of gifts; expenditure
Any gift or bequest, when accepted by the governing body of the municipality, shall be received by the treasurer or other corresponding officer of the municipality and expended by and under the direction of the board of trustees of the free public library for the purposes for which the gift or bequest was made, in the same manner as other funds are expended by such board.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-23: Municipalities may furnish site where buildings are offered; amount
When any person has offered or hereafter may offer to the board of trustees of the free public library of any municipality which shall hereafter establish a library under the provisions of this article or has heretofore established a free public library pursuant to law, or has offered or hereafter may offer to the council or other governing body of any such municipality, to provide or erect a building to be used as a free public library upon condition that the municipality, or the trustees of the free public library therein, or the council or governing body thereof, provide a site for the building, the council or other governing body of the municipality, by resolution adopted by the votes of a majority of all the members thereof, may appropriate for the purpose of purchasing a suitable site upon which to erect such library building, a sum of money not exceeding three mills in all municipalities except cities, and in cities a sum not exceeding three-fourths of one mill, on every dollar of assessable property according to the last preceding levy for the purposes of annual taxation therein.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-24: Purchase of site; title
At any time after the acceptance of any such last-mentioned gift the trustees of the free public library in any such municipality may purchase, at a cost not exceeding the amount appropriated therefor, a suitable site for the erection of a library building. The title of the real estate so purchased shall be taken in the name of the municipality. The use and control of the same shall be in the board of trustees of the free public library therein so long as it shall be used for free public library purposes.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-25: Lands and buildings; purchase and alteration; financing; title
When, in the judgement of the board of trustees of the free public library in any municipality that shall establish a library under the provisions of this article or has heretofore established a free public library pursuant to law, it is advisable to purchase lands or erect buildings thereon, or both, or to enlarge or alter any building already erected thereon, for the purpose of a free public library, the board may certify to the board or body having charge of the finances of such municipality the amount of money, in addition to such moneys as it may have on hand applicable to such purposes, necessary for the purpose of making such purchase of land, the erection of buildings or other improvements thereof, and shall also certify therewith the total amount of moneys and funds available for the purchase of lands or erection of buildings, and an estimated account of the amount necessary for the maintenance of the library for the balance of the then current year.
Thereupon the board, or body having charge of the finances of the municipality may by resolution, at its discretion and with the approval of the mayor or other chief executive officer of the municipality, authorize and empower the board of trustees of the free public library to expend such sums of money, in addition to the moneys belonging to it and not needed for the expenses of maintenance for the remainder of the then fiscal year, as to such common council, or such other body or board, may seem proper for such purposes, not to exceed, however, the amount certified by the board of trustees of the free public library.
Upon the passage of such resolution the board of trustees of the free public library shall be empowered and authorized, with the consent of the mayor or other chief executive officer of such municipality, to purchase real estate, and to erect buildings and make improvements thereon, and to expend moneys therefor to the amount of such appropriation and surplus, but no lands shall be purchased for the purpose of erecting thereon a free public library building except with the concurrence of such common council, or such other body or board, expressed by resolution of such common council, or such other body or board with the approval of the mayor or other chief executive officer of the municipality. Any veto exercised by the mayor or other chief executive officer may be overridden by a 2/3 majority vote of the governing body of the municipality.
The title of any real estate so purchased shall be taken in the name of the municipality. The use and control of such real estate shall be in the board of trustees of the free public library so long as it shall be used for free public library purposes.
Amended by L.1971, c. 201, s.1, eff. June 9, 1971.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-26: Bond issues
Any municipality that shall hereafter establish a library under the provisions of this article or has heretofore established a free public library pursuant to law may create and issue bonds for the acquisition of lands, the acquisition and erection and improvement of buildings and appliances for library purposes and the equipment and furnishing of library buildings. Such bonds shall be issued pursuant to the provisions of article 1 of chapter 1 of this title (40:1-1 et seq.1).
N.J.S.A.
40:54-27: Redemption of bonds
There shall be raised and levied annually by taxation in the municipality issuing such bonds a sum sufficient to pay the interest thereon and to redeem the part or proportion thereof maturing in the fiscal year for which such taxes are levied.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-28: Acquisition of lands by condemnation
When the board of trustees of the free public library in any municipality desire to acquire any lands, improved or unimproved, either in whole or in part, for the purposes of its building and library pursuant to the authority and power vested in it by section 40:54-25 of this title, and it cannot agree with the owner or owners of such lands, or with other persons interested therein, as to the amount of compensation to be paid therefor, proceedings shall be taken by said board to acquire such lands and ascertain the amount of compensation to be paid therefor, in the manner provided by the general laws for the condemnation and taking of lands for public use.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-29: Transfer of books to library
Any public board in any municipality wherein there is a free public library, or any department of the government of the municipality having under its control a library or collection of books useful for such public library, may transfer the control or property of said books to the trustees of a free public library established under this article for use therein. The board or department so transferring its books or library shall be relieved from further responsibility for the care or custody of or property in said books or library, and the board of trustees of the free public library shall hold and keep said books or library as if originally purchased by it.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-29.3: Joint free public libraries.
1. a. (1) Any two or more municipalities may unite in the support, maintenance and control of a joint free public library for the use and benefit of the residents of such municipalities.
(2) Every library established under this chapter shall be considered a free public library as defined under R.S.40:54-1 et seq. and shall have the same benefits, powers, duties and responsibilities granted to free public libraries and their governing boards of trustees.
b. The combined minimum appropriation for the joint free public library annually shall be not less than one-third of a mill on every dollar of assessable property within the participating municipalities based upon the equalized valuation of such property within the combined municipalities 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.
L.1959, c. 155, s.1; amended by L.1988, c. 38, s.1; 2017, c.260, s.2.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-29.4: Apportionment of appropriations
The governing bodies of such municipalities shall propose such an undertaking by a joint library agreement, which shall provide for the apportionment of annual and special appropriations therefor among such municipalities, for the initial annual appropriation for such library, for the abandonment or the continuance of such agreement in the event that it is not approved by all such municipalities as provided for in this act, and for such other matters as they shall determine. Such apportionment of appropriations may be based on the assessed valuations of the respective municipalities, their populations, or such factor or factors as the governing bodies shall agree.
Such an agreement shall provide that the combined minimum appropriation for the joint library shall annually be not less than one-third of a mill on every dollar of assessable property within the participating municipalities based upon the equalized valuation of such property within the combined municipalities as certified by the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury.
L.1959, c. 155, s.2; amended 1988, c. 38, s.2.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-29.5: Joint library agreement, filing.
3. After the introduction of an ordinance approving such Joint library agreement, which may be incorporated by reference therein, such agreement shall be and remain on file for public inspection in the municipal clerk’s office from the time of introduction of such ordinance and such ordinance shall so state. A copy of such ordinance and of the Joint library agreement shall be filed with the State Librarian and the Director of the Division of Local Government. Subsequent amendments and supplements to such ordinance and agreement shall be filed in like manner.
L.1959, c. 155, s.3; amended 2001, c.137, s.56.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-29.6: Notification of governing bodies after adoption of ordinance; submission of question to voters
After the adoption of such ordinance, each governing body shall notify each of the other governing bodies proposing to unite in the joint library of such adoption. After the adoption of such ordinances by all such governing bodies, the question of uniting in such undertaking shall be submitted to the legal voters of each such municipality at the next general election unless said election is less than 40 days after the adoption of such ordinances, in which event it shall be submitted at the next succeeding general election.
L.1959, c. 155, p. 619, s.4, eff. Sept. 4, 1959.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-29.7: Form of ballot
Such question shall be placed upon the official ballots in each of the participating municipalities in substantially the following form:
“Shall (insert the name of one municipality) unite with (insert the name or names of the other municipality or municipalities) in the support, maintenance and control of a joint free public library pursuant to chapter (insert the chapter number of this act) of the laws of 1959?”
L.1959, c. 155, p. 620, s.5, eff. Sept. 4, 1959.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-29.8: Approval of resolution
These municipalities in which at said election the question is approved by a majority of the legal votes cast in each, both for and against such question, shall, as of January 1 next following said election, unite in the support, maintenance and control of a joint free public library in accordance with such joint library agreement.
P.L.1959, c. 155, s.6.; amended 1988, c. 38, s.3.
N.J.S.A.
40:54-29.9. Procedure for amendment of joint library agreement.
7. a. The joint library agreement may be amended by agreement among the parties thereto but such amendments shall not become effective until approved in each of the participating municipalities by ordinance, which ordinances may incorporate such amendments by reference.
b. (1) The governing body of each municipality shall, 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 to support the joint free public library agreement and, pursuant to section 15 of P.L.1959, c.155 (C.40:54-29.17), as deemed appropriate for the proper maintenance of a joint free public library; provided, however, that the rate in the proposition
shall not be lower than one-third of a mill on every dollar of assessable property within the participating municipalities based upon the equalized valuation of such property within the combined municipalities 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. 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 section 15 of P.L.1959, c.155 (C.40:54-29.17).
(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 joint free public library required by a proposition approved pursuant to this subsection shall be exempt from the limitation set forth in section 5 of P.L.1985, c.541 (C.40:54-8.1) for the first tax year in which the proposition is implemented 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 changing the rate of tax required to annually be raised to support the joint free public library agreement, 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) Whenever one municipality in a joint free public library system changes the rate of its dedicated joint free public library tax rate, any of the participating municipalities in that joint free public library system may demand that the joint free public library agreement be amended or renegotiated.
(7) 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 the effective date of P.L.2011, c.38 (March 21, 2011), 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 joint 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 joint free public library, may be appropriated in the municipal budget from the general purposes municipal tax levy.
L.1959, c. 155, s.7; amended 2017, c.260, s.3.
Last Updated: October 2023.
