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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 17. Libraries And Cultural Resources
8/12/2026

17VAC15. Library of Virginia (Library Board)

VAC AGENCY NO. 15

LIBRARY OF VIRGINIA (LIBRARY BOARD)

AGENCY SUMMARY

The Library Board serves as the policy-making board for the Library of Virginia, which is the official library agency of the Commonwealth, the official archival agency of the Commonwealth, and the reference library at the seat of government. The board is authorized to establish policies and adopt such rules and regulations as are necessary to govern the operation and use of the Library of Virginia. Code of Virginia, Title 42.1, Chapter 1, Article 1.

The board is authorized to establish policies governing the acquisition, preservation, and public use of the Library's collections. The board may enter into agreements with other institutions and organizations with similar purposes; confer honorary degrees upon individuals who have made outstanding contributions to arts, history, humanities, or information, library, or archival science; and direct the publication of historical records and manuscripts deemed of sufficient value to the Commonwealth. Code of Virginia, Title 42.1, Chapter 1, Article 1.

The board establishes the qualifications required to hold professional librarian positions in public libraries serving populations greater than 15,000 and in libraries operated by or under the authority of the Commonwealth, with the exception of law libraries. Code of Virginia, Title 42.1, Chapter 1, Article 2.

The board establishes standards governing eligibility for state aid and federal library assistance programs and oversees the distribution of such funds to support the development of public library services throughout the Commonwealth. The board may, in the course of determining eligibility standards, establish operational, personnel, and service standards for participating libraries, and may determine whether participating libraries satisfy applicable statutory and regulatory requirements for receipt of state aid. The board may also accept and administer federal library funds and establish the conditions governing their receipt and expenditure. Code of Virginia, Title 42.1, Chapter 3.

Pursuant to the Virginia Public Records Act, the board is authorized to promulgate regulations governing the creation, maintenance, retention, preservation, and disposition of public records by state agencies and political subdivisions and to establish standards for their records management programs, including regulations governing the disposal, destruction, or other disposition of public records containing social security numbers. The board may establish advisory committees composed of persons with expertise in such matters to assist the board in developing the regulations and guidelines. Code of Virginia, Title 42.1, Chapter 7.

The board is authorized to promulgate rules, regulations, and standards necessary for the Library of Virginia to administer the State Publications Depository Program, which provides for the collection and distribution of state government publications to designated depository libraries throughout the Commonwealth. Code of Virginia, Title 42.1, Chapter 8.

The Library Board operates under the purview of the Secretary of Education. Regulations are available at the Library of Virginia, 800 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Website: www.lva.virginia.gov.

Rev. 7/2026

Website addresses provided in the Virginia Administrative Code to documents incorporated by reference are for the reader's convenience only, may not necessarily be active or current, and should not be relied upon. To ensure the information incorporated by reference is accurate, the reader is encouraged to use the source document described in the regulation.

As a service to the public, the Virginia Administrative Code is provided online by the Virginia General Assembly. We are unable to answer legal questions or respond to requests for legal advice, including application of law to specific fact. To understand and protect your legal rights, you should consult an attorney.