R.I. Gen. Laws § 29-6-8: Eligibility requirements — Institutions.

(a) To qualify for state aid under § 29-6-7, an institution shall:

(1) Allocate from its appropriation an amount not less than the amount allocated and expended the previous year for operating expenditures to support library services for residents or students; and

(2) Submit, or cause to be submitted, to the office of library and information services evidence that the library or libraries in the institution meet standards of service as set forth in regulations to be made by the chief of library services pursuant to the provisions of chapter 3.1 of this title.

(b) Any funds received from the state under this program shall not be used to supplant funds from other sources.

(c) The chief of library services, upon application and for cause shown, may authorize an annual grant-in-aid under § 29-6-7, or a portion thereof, to an institution not fully meeting the requirements set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section.

(d) Decisions as to the eligibility of institutions for grants-in-aid under this chapter, and the amounts of the grants-in-aid, shall be made by the chief of library services.