22-1-326. State aid to public libraries. (1) As used in 22-1-326 through 22-1-331, "public library" means a library created under Title 7 or under 22-1-301 through 22-1-317 or an accredited tribal college library that provides services to the public.

(2) As provided in 22-1-325 through 22-1-329, the commission shall administer state aid to public libraries and public library districts created and operated under part 7 of this chapter. The purposes of state aid are to:

(a) broaden access to existing information by strengthening public libraries and public library districts;

(b) augment and extend services provided by public libraries and public library districts; and

(c) permit new types of library services based on local need.

(3) Money appropriated for the purposes of this section may not be used to supplant general operating funds of recipient public libraries or public library districts. The commission may withhold a distribution to a library or district that receives less support from a mill levy or local government appropriation than its average for the preceding 3 fiscal years if the decrease may reasonably be linked to money received or expected to be received under 22-1-325 through 22-1-329.