New Mexico Register / Volume XXXII, Issue 20 / October 26, 2021

NEW MEXICO STATE LIBRARY PUBLIC RULE HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the New Mexico State Library (NMSL) will convene an online public hearing on Monday, November 29, 2021 at 1:00 pm. Interested parties may attend by way of the following link, https://nmculture-org.zoom.us/j/86382145783?pwd=KzBtZHVOcUJldVhqd3Q5OEluUmpiZz09. Following the hearing, the NMSL will consider public comments and adopt the rule.

The purpose of the hearing is to consider amending rule 4.5.9 NMAC, Special Grants for Public Libraries. The NMSL proposes to amend the rule in order to facilitate the effective administration of special grants for public libraries.

The statutory authority for the proposed changes to 4.5.9 NMAC is found in Subsection I of Section 18-2-4 NMSA 1978 which directs the state librarian to make rules and regulations necessary to administer the division and as provided by law and Subsection B of Section 18-2-4 NMSA 1978 which directs the state librarian to administer grants-in-aid and encourage local library services and generally promote an effective statewide library system. The NMSL is considering the adoption of a new rule 4.5.9 NMAC in order to allow full disbursement of federal funds awarded for emergency relief, expand grant eligibility through guidelines set by the state librarian, and allow the state librarian to determine through grant guidelines whether a grant award will be disbursed directly or by way of reimbursement.

The proposed rule is available at the NMSL website, http://www.nmstatelibrary.org, and at the NMSL office located in the Garrey Carruthers State Library Building, 1209 Camino Carlos Rey, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507. To request that a copy of the proposed rule be mailed to you, submit your request in writing to New Mexico State Library, 1209 Camino Carlos Rey, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507, by email to eli.guinnee@state.nm.us, or via fax to (505) 476-9776.

The NMSL is currently accepting public comments on the proposed rule. Additionally, any person may join the online hearing to submit their comments. Written comments may be submitted by mail to: New Mexico State Library, 1209 Camino Carlos Rey, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507, by email to eli.guinnee@state.nm.us , or via fax to (505) 476-9776. Written comments should be submitted for the NMSL’s consideration no later than 10:00 am on November 29, 2021. Written comments will be posted on NMSL’s website.

Individuals in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing should contact Eli Guinnee at 505-476-9762 or eli.guinnee@state.nm.us at least ten business days prior to the hearing.