The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

1. (1) Accreditation--means the process by which a library is accredited by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission as having met the standards in this subchapter. Accreditation is not required but determines the eligibility of public libraries to receive state assistance through programs and services of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
2. (2) Agency--means the Texas State Library and Archives Commission as an agency of the state of Texas, including the staff, collections, archives, operations, programs, and property of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
3. (3) Commission--means the seven-member governing body of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
4. (4) Continuing education--means professional development activities for library directors that are instructional, free of lobbying, and relevant to the operation of a library. Activities may include workshops, appropriate conference sessions, online training, and courses.
5. (5) Library collection item--means any item in the library's catalog that may be circulated, including books, e-books, audio and e-audio books, video and e-video items, non-traditional educational items such as kits, instruments, and equipment, and locally licensed databases or other informational items as determined by professional library standards.
6. (6) Library operating hours--means the number of unique hours the library is open to the public as set by local governing authorities based on and subject to local considerations, including need and budget.
7. (7) Local fiscal year--means the 12-month period used by a local entity for budgeting and operations. For accreditation purposes, it is the fiscal year in which January 1 of the requested year falls.
8. (8) Per capita--means the locally funded operating expenditures of the library divided by the library's assigned population under §1.72 of this title (relating to Legal Service Area).
9. (9) Professional librarian--means a person holding a master's degree or comparable certification in library or information studies from an accredited program.

10. (10) Public library--means a library that is operated by a single public entity or board, that is freely open to all persons under identical conditions, that receives its financial support in whole or part from public funds, and that provides the following at a minimum:

    1. (A) An organized collection of print or other library materials, or a combination thereof;
    2. (B) At least one public access computer;
    3. (C) Paid or contracted staff;
    4. (D) An established schedule in which services of the staff are available to the public; and
    5. (E) The facilities necessary to support such a collection, staff, and schedule.
11. (11) State fiscal year--means the 12-month period beginning September 1 and ending August 31.

Source Note:The provisions of this §1.71 adopted to be September 1, 2025, 50 TexReg 2765.