Current through Reg. 49, No. 38; September 20, 2024
(a) General Powers
and Responsibilities. The commission is a seven-member citizen board appointed
by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. The agency is within
the executive branch, but functions independently within its statutory
authority to serve the long-term public interest.
(b) Powers and Responsibilities of the
Commission. The commission is responsible for establishing the policy framework
through which the Texas State Library carries out its statutory
responsibilities. The commission governs the library through the director and
librarian. The staff of the library receive direction from the commission
through the director and librarian. Specifically, the commission:
(1) adopts administrative rules that guide
the staff in administering library programs;
(2) approves strategic and operating plans
and requests for appropriations;
(3) approves all contracts as specified in
§
2.77 of this subchapter (relating
to Contract Approval Authority and Responsibilities);
(4) approves all competitive grants, and all
other grants of $100,000 or more, made by the library;
(5) acknowledges acceptance of gifts, grants,
or donations of $500 or more that are in accord with the mission and purposes
of the library;
(6) oversees
operations of the library for integrity, effectiveness, and
efficiency;
(7) acts as a final
board of appeals for staff decisions or advisory board recommendations on
grants, accreditation of libraries, certification of librarians, or other
issues of concern to the public;
(8) selects the director and librarian and
approves the selection of the assistant state librarian; and
(9) conducts a periodic performance review of
the director and librarian.
(c) Powers and Responsibilities of the
Director and Librarian. The director and librarian is responsible for the
effective and efficient administration of the policies established by the
commission. Specifically, the director and librarian:
(1) selects, organizes, and directs the staff
of the library;
(2) establishes the
operating budget for the library and allocates funds among strategies,
programs, and projects within the limits of statutory authority and as set
forth in the General Appropriations Acts of the legislature;
(3) approves expenditures of funds in
accordance with law;
(4) represents
the commission and reports on behalf of the commission to the governor, the
legislature, the public, or other organized groups as required;
(5) reports in a timely manner all relevant
information first to the chair and subsequently to all members of the
commission, endeavoring to report to members of the commission in such a manner
that the members are equally well informed on matters that concern the
commission; and
(6) delegates
his/her responsibilities to the assistant state librarian or other agency staff
as appropriate.
