Section 2: State Laws Applicable to Libraries

A. State Constitution

The Constitution of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations includes libraries as one of the essential and unquestionable rights and principles to be secured for the people of Rhode Island. Section 1, Article XII, Of Education, states:

Duty of general assembly to promote schools and libraries. -- The diffusion of knowledge, as well as of virtue among the people, being essential to the preservation of their rights and liberties, it shall be the duty of the general assembly to promote public schools and public libraries, and to adopt all means which it may deem necessary and proper to secure to the people the advantages and opportunities of education and public library services.

Section 4 addresses the implementation of this article:

Diversion of funds prohibited. -- The general assembly shall make all necessary provisions by law for carrying this article into effect. It shall not divert said money or fund from the aforesaid uses, nor borrow, appropriate, or use the same, or any part thereof, for any other purpose, under any pretence whatsoever.

B-F. Laws Applicable to Libraries

The State of Rhode Island General Laws (RIGL) set forth statutes that establish boards, agencies and the laws that govern those agencies and their programs. Title 29 addresses Libraries, though other statutes address issues relevant to libraries.



The following selected sections of RIGL Title 29 are especially relevant to Board activities:

  1. RIGL 29-4: Free Public Libraries
  2. RIGL 29-6: State Aid to Libraries
  3. RIGL 11-18-32: Criminal Offenses, Video, audio and publication rentals (confidentiality of library records)
  4. RIGL 11-41-14: Criminal Offenses, Failure to return book or other library property
  5. RIGL 11-41-14.1: Criminal Offenses, Concealment of book or other property

A complete listing of state laws applicable to libraries and the State Constitution can be found on the Library Laws and Regulations​​​​​​ section of the OLIS website.



The complete text of RIGL Title 29 can be found on the General Assembly website.