§9105a National Museum and Library Services Board

Summary

Creates a National Museum and Library Services Board inside the Institute to advise the Director on museum, library, and information services. The Board has the Director, the Deputy Director for Library Services, the Deputy Director for Museum Services, 10 library appointees, and 10 museum appointees. The President picks the 20 appointees, who must be U.S. citizens with special training, experience, or commitment to libraries or museums. Among the library appointees, five must be professional librarians or information specialists (including at least one expert in electronic/technical information and one familiar with underserved or rural communities). Among the museum appointees, five must be museum professionals representing a broad range of museum types or resources. Appointments must reflect different U.S. regions (including rural areas), and no more than three appointive members may come from a single State. The Director, the two Deputies, and the Institute’s General Counsel are members but do not vote. Appointed members serve five-year terms. The President may stagger terms so no more than four end in any year. A person filling a vacancy serves the rest of that term. No appointee who has served more than seven straight years may be reappointed. Members stay on until their successor takes office. The Director is Chair and the General Counsel is Secretary. The Board must meet at least twice a year and acts by majority vote of those allowed to vote; a majority of voting members is a quorum. The Board advises the Director on awards under section 9107 and helps coordinate policy work described in section 9103(f) and (g). Non-federal members may be paid up to the daily equivalent of the highest annual pay for positions above GS‑15 (see 5 U.S.C. 5108) and get travel expenses under the federal travel rules (subchapter I of chapter 57, title 5).