R.I. Gen. Laws § 29-3.1-1.1: Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, unless otherwise indicated by the context, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings:

(1) “Interlibrary cooperation” means two (2) or more independent libraries working together to achieve a common purpose;

(2) “Public library” means a library in a city or town that has been designated by the city or town council or town financial meeting as a library to provide library services to all individuals residing in the city or town;

(3) “Public library development” means the activities undertaken to strengthen, improve, or initiate library services that are provided by a public library; and

(4) “Resource sharing” means the sharing of library materials, the creation and maintenance of a statewide library catalog, providing statewide access to databases and/or staff expertise between two (2) or more libraries.