CHAPTER 347

An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 42 a chapter
numbered 2.1, containing sections numbered 42-12.1 through 42-12.5,
authorizing the establishment by contract of a cooperative free public
library service or system for the use and benefit of the residents of
Henrico County, Chesterfield County and the City of Richmond.

[S 303]
Approved March 31, 1964

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia be amended by adding in Title 42 a chapter
numbered 2.1, containing sections numbered 42-12.1 through 42-12.5, as

follows:
Chapter 2.1.

§ 42-12.1. The governing bodies of Henrico County, Chesterfield County
and the City of Richmond shall have the power to enter into a contract
whereby the City of Richmond may furnish library service to Henrico
County and Chesterfield County, and such counties may establish a free
public library system utilizing such library service from the City of
Richmond. Any library service rendered or library system established
pursuant to the foregoing contract shall meet the minimum public library
standards of the State Library Board, and the contracting parties shall
be eligible for such State aid and grants as are provided for in Chap 5
of this title so long as the contract meets the standards under which
poraries are eligible for State aid as established by the State Library

oard.

§ 42-12.2. Any contract made pursuant to § 42-12.1 shall be ap-
proved by the Richmond Public Library Board and authorized by ordinance
or resolution duly adopted by the governing bodies of Henrico County,
Chesterfield County and the City of Richmond.

§ 42-12.3. Any contract made pursuant to § 42-12.1 may provide for
the management and control of the library systems of the contracting
parties to be vested in a single board or commission. Notwithstanding the
provisions of Section 20.02 of the Charter of the City of Richmond or
Chapters 1 and 2 of this Title, the number and qualifications of members
of such board or commission, their terms, and the method of their appoint-
ment and removal shall be provided in any such contract, and such board
or commission may consist of the members of the Richmond Public Library
Board and additional members representing Henrico County and Chester-
field County. Such board or commission may elect a chairman whose term
of office shall be for such period as the board or commission shall deter-
mine, and it may create and fill such other offices as it deems necessary.
It shall adopt rules for the transaction of its business and keep a record
of all of its proceedings and actions which shall at reasonable times be
open to the public. It shall submit periodic reports of its activities to the
governing bodies of the contracting parties. It shall have such other
whet: and duties as may be specified in the contract made pursuant to
§ 42-12.1.

§ 42-12.4. The cost of establishing, operating and maintaining the
joint or cooperative library service or system shall be borne by Henrico
County, Chesterfield County and the City of Richmond in such proportions
as shall be provided in the contract made pursuant to § 42-12.1. Each such
political subdivision shall have the power to appropriate funds for de-
fraying such cost.

§ 42-12.5. Any contract made pursuant to § 42-12.1 shall contain a
designation of the real and personal property to be used to provide free
public library service or system and a provision for the personnel neces-
sary to operate and maintain the same. Any such contract shall also specify
its duration and the manner and circumstances under which it may be
terminated.