1672                             Laws of Maryland                      [Ch. 770

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the provisions of this Act
shall apply to circumstances which arose before and after the effec-
tive date of this Act.

Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That this Act shall take effect
July 1, 1971.

Approved May 28, 1971.

CHAPTER 770
(House Bill 27)

AN ACT to repeal Sections 162 through 189, inclusive, of Article 77 of
the Annotated Code of Maryland (1969 Replacement Volume),
title "Public Education," subtitle "Chapter 16. Public Libraries,"
and to enact new Sections 162 to 184 182, inclusive, in lieu thereof,
to follow immediately after Section 161 thereof, and to stand in the
place of the sections so repealed; AND TO ADD A NEW SUB-
SECTION (72) TO SECTION 9 OF ARTICLE 81 OF THE
ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND (1970 SUPPLEMENT),
TITLE "REVENUE AND TAXES," SUBTITLE "WHAT SHALL
BE TAXED AND WHERE," TO FOLLOW IMMEDIATELY
AFTER SUBSECTION (71) THEREOF; to provide among other
matters for a statement of legislative intent, the Maryland Ad-
visory Council on Libraries, the powers and duties of the State
Board of Education with respect to public libraries, the Division
of Library Development and Services, Regional Resource Centers,
Metropolitan Cooperative Service Programs, the State Resource
Center, Boards of Trustees to govern public libraries, the AN
OPTIONAL STRUCTURE FOR LIBRARY SERVICES IN
CHARTER COUNTIES, CONTINUING THE EXISTING cur-
rent expense formula for State aid to public libraries, CONTINU-
ING the Public Library Incentive Fund, the repeal of exemptions
of certain library systems from the State laws, the recodification
of certain sections of the public library laws, the present and
future needs of public libraries, THE EXEMPTION OF LI-
BRARIES FROM PROPERTY TAXATION, and generally relat-
ing to public libraries.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That Sections 162 through 189, inclusive, of Article 77 of the Annot-
ated Code of Maryland (1969 Replacement Volume), title "Public Ed-
ucation," subtitle "Chapter 16. Public Libraries," be and they are
hereby repealed, and that new Sections 162 to 484 182, inclusive, be
and they are hereby enacted in lieu thereof, to follow immediately
after Section 161 thereof, to stand in the place of the sections so
repealed, all to read as follows:

162.

Public library resources and services are essential components of
the educational system, . THEY stimulate awareness and under-
standing of critical social issues and problems, and assist individuals