KRS 173.310: Methods by which library service may be provided -- Appropriation or

levy on establishment.

Any governmental unit may provide library service for its inhabitants according to any

one (1) of the following methods:

(1) The legislative body on its own initiative may establish an independent library.

(2) Upon receipt of a petition signed by a number of taxpayers equal to five percent

(5%) of the number of votes cast for officers in the last general election of such

governmental unit, the legislative body s hall submit the question to a vote at the

next general election by submitting the question to the county clerk not later than

the second Tuesday in August preceding the general election. If a majority of those

voting on the question vote in favor of the pr oposition, the legislative body shall

forthwith establish a library, except as provided in subsection (4) of this section.

(3) The legislative bodies of two (2) or more adjacent counties may on their own

initiative, or upon a petition and vote in each coun ty as provided in subsection (2)

above, or upon the initiative of some legislative bodies and petition and vote in

others, join in establishing and maintaining a regional library, provided the

aggregate assessed valuation of the property assessable for loc al taxation in such

counties is a minimum of $10,000,000, and subject to the provisions of KRS

173.320.

(4) The legislative body of any governmental unit may on its own initiative contract to

receive service from an existing nearby library, the library of a nearby institution of

higher learning, the State Department for Libraries and Archives, or from a nearby

library not owned by a governmental unit but which provides free service, each of

these having reciprocal power to render the service. In the event o f a petition and

vote as provided by subsection (2), a legislative body shall have the privilege of

providing library service by contract in lieu of establishing an independent library.

When any one (1) of the above methods has been complied with, the legi slative bodies of

the governing units shall at once make the necessary appropriation or levy to establish

and maintain such library service annually and perpetually.