§9. Other functions, duties and powers of board

The board of commissioners may send any of its members to aid in the organization of public general libraries or to assist in the improvement of those already established. It may also receive gifts of books, money, or other property, which may be used or held in trust for the purpose or purposes given; may purchase and operate traveling libraries, and circulate such libraries within the state among communities, libraries, schools, colleges, universities, library associations, study clubs, and charitable and penal institutions, under such conditions and rules as the board may deem necessary to protect the interest of the state and best increase the efficiency of the service it is expected to render the public. It may publish lists and circulars of information, and may cooperate with other library commissions and libraries in the publication of documents, in order to secure the most economical administration of the work for which it was formed. It may conduct courses or schools of library instruction and hold library institutes in various parts of the state, and cooperate with others in such schools or institutes. It may also conduct a clearing house for periodicals for free gift to local libraries and shall perform such other service in behalf of public libraries as it may consider for the best interest of the state.

In connection with and under the supervision of each normal school in the state and the president of the state university the board may arrange for a course of lectures every year at each of the said normal schools and the state university on book selection, the use and care of books and the cataloging and administration of school libraries. It may cooperate with the state board of education in devising plans for the care of school libraries, in aiding teachers in school library administration, and in formulating rules and regulations governing the use of such libraries throughout the state. Such suggestions, rules, and regulations for school libraries are to be promulgated through the superintendent of public education.