OAR 543-080-0040: Population Determination for Public Libraries

(1) The State Library shall estimate population using latest data published by the Portland State University Center for Population Research and the U.S. Census Bureau. Data from the Oregon Secretary of State Elections Division may also be used to estimate populations for public libraries operated by special districts or that are coextensive with another type of district’s boundaries (e.g. school district). (2) To determine the population of special districts, school districts, or other districts with boundaries that are not identical to those of a county or city, the State Library shall estimate the population of the district based on the number of active registered voters in the district as of May 1. The State Library shall estimate the district population by calculating the percentage of the county population who are active registered voters. That percentage will be divided by the district’s active registered voters in that county to estimate the total district population in the county. (3) In accordance with ORS 357.780(2)(c), a public library may be assigned population beyond its governing authority's jurisdiction only in cases where the library has a valid contract with another unit of local government to provide services to this population. The contract, which must be on file at the State Library, must grant the library the sole responsibility to serve the population in question. The population must be specified in the contract clearly and precisely. Public libraries established as non-profit corporations under Oregon law may be assigned population and become eligible for state aid and grants only in this manner. (4) In cases other than those described in section (3) of this rule, where the same population is served by two or more public libraries, the State Library shall determine which public library is the primary service provider to the population in question, and shall assign the population to the primary service provider. In making this determination the State Library shall consider the location of library facilities and any available statistics on patterns of library use by the population in question. [Data: Data referenced are available from the agency.]