1. (a) The residents or real property taxpayers of the library district taxed for the support of the library may use the facilities and services of the public library without charge for library or related purposes. However, the library board may:

   1. (1) fix and collect fees and rental charges; and

   2. (2) assess fines, penalties, and damages for the:

      1. (A) loss of;
      2. (B) damage to; or

      3. (C) failure to return;

         any library property or material.

2. (b) A library board may issue local library cards to:

   1. (1) residents and real property taxpayers of the library district; and
   2. (2) individuals who are not residents of the library district.
3. (c) Except as provided in subsection (e), a library board must set and charge a fee for a local library card issued under subsection (b)(2).

4. (d) The minimum fee that the board may set under subsection (c) is the greater of the following:

   1. (1) The library district's operating fund expenditure per capita in the most recent year for which that information is available in the Indiana state library's annual "Statistics of Indiana Libraries".
   2. (2) Twenty-five dollars ($25).

5. (e) A library board may issue a local library card without charge or for a reduced fee to an individual who is not a resident of the library district and who is:

   1. (1) a student enrolled in or a teacher in a public school corporation or nonpublic school:

      1. (A) that is located at least in part in the library district; and
      2. (B) in which students in any grade from preschool through grade 12 are educated;
   2. (2) a child receiving foster care services;
   3. (3) a library employee of the district; or

   4. (4) a student enrolled in a college or university that is located at least in part of the library district;

      if the board adopts a resolution that is approved by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members appointed to the library board.

6. (f) A library card issued under subsection (b)(2) or (e) may be valid for a maximum of one (1) year after issuance. A card issued under subsection (b)(2) that is valid for less than one (1) year must be sold at a fee prorated to the equivalent of the annual fee prescribed under subsection (d).

   [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-14-2-8.]

As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.49. Amended by P.L.91-2009, SEC.1; P.L.113-2010, SEC.160; P.L.84-2012, SEC.22; P.L.13-2013, SEC.155; P.L.203-2016, SEC.27; P.L.42-2018, SEC.32; P.L.88-2020, SEC.6.