The bill S. 707 aims to amend Section 4-9-36 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, which pertains to the duties of county public library boards of trustees. The primary focus of the amendment is to revise the qualification and credential requirements for chief librarians and other library staff. Specifically, it stipulates that while a chief librarian must meet the certification requirements set by the State Library Board, the county library board cannot mandate or show preference for a chief librarian, library director, or library employee to be certified by the American Library Association or to possess a master's degree from an ALA-accredited program.

This change is intended to broaden the pool of candidates eligible for library positions by removing specific certification and degree requirements that may limit hiring options. The bill will take effect upon approval by the Governor, reflecting a shift towards more flexible hiring practices within county library systems in South Carolina.

Statutes affected:
12/10/2025: 4-9-36
Latest Version: 4-9-36