Hi, all.

NJSL has been advised by the Division of Local Government Services that  libraries are not within the universe of entities referenced in P.L. 2011, c.167, the authority website law (C.4:24-20.1 et al.).  This law only covers those entities that submit their budget to the Division of Local Government Services under Local Finance Board rules. 

While libraries are not included in this legislation, it is highly recommended as a best practice that each library voluntarily comply and publish the items listed below.

a. a description of the mission and responsibilities

b. the budget once adopted for the current and immediately two prior fiscal years

c. the most recent Annual Financial Report

d. the annual audit for the most recent and immediately two prior fiscal years

e. rules, regulations, and official policy statements deemed relevant by the board to the interests of the residents

f. notice, posted pursuant to the “Senator Byron M. Baer Open Public Meetings Act," P.L.1975, c.231 (C.10:4-6 et seq.), of a meeting of the board of supervisors, setting forth the time, date, location, and agenda of the meeting

g. the approved minutes of each meeting of the board including all resolutions of the board and its committees for the current fiscal year. The approved minutes of meetings for at least three consecutive fiscal years shall be available on the website or webpage

h. the name, mailing address, electronic mail address, if available, and phone number of every person who exercises day-to-day supervision or management over some or all of the operations of the district

i. a list of attorneys, advisors, consultants, and any other person, firm, business, partnership, corporation, or other organization which received any remuneration of $17,500 or more during the preceding fiscal year for any service whatsoever rendered to the district.

There have been questions raised about the problem of posting an agenda online that may change between the time of posting and the actual meeting. It may be appropriate to advise the public that the agenda is tentative and items may be deleted from or added to the agenda prior to the meeting. Providing the public with a contact person regarding additions and deletions to the agenda is recommended.

For further guidance, you may want to look at an Authority in your county. I did a quick search and found these examples: http://www.gcianj.com/; http://www.scia.co.somerset.nj.us/; http://www.mciauth.com/

Best wishes,

Victoria

Victoria Rosch

Deputy State Librarian for Library Support Services

vrosch@PROTECTED 

609.278.2640 ext.157