Fiscal Year 2011 Information
FY2006 - FY2011 Legal Service Area Populations for New Mexico Public & Tribal Libraries
Source of 2009 Census Estimates for Cities and Counties (released 07/2009..not yet available from BBER):
http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/SUB-EST2008-states.html (click on NM)
Source of 2000 Census Estimates for CDPs: http://www.unm.edu/~bber/census/sample/dpcity.htm
Source of 2000 Census Block Data: http://www.census.gov/main/www/cen2000.html
Definition
New Mexico Administrative Code (4.5.2)
“Legal service area” means the geographic area for which a public library has been established to offer services and from which (or on behalf of which) the library derives income. This includes the entire service area of the local public library or library system and does not, for example, include merely the general service area of any one branch. The most recent U.S. Census determines the population of the legal service area if the population figures are given separately for that area (usually a political subdivision of the state.) If the census does not have a discreet population figure for the legal service area, then the state library and the library whose population is at issue will work together to arrive at a mutually acceptable population figure. If this is not possible, the state library in its sole discretion will determine the population for the library’s legal service area.
The population of the Legal Service Areas is used to determine the distribution of state aid per capita allocation, GO Bonds, and other state funds. Additionally, legal service area is used by federal and private agencies to distribute funds, determine eligibility and affect planning and it is vital to develop and maintain a consistent standard that is equitable to all libraries.
Application
The following criteria will be used to determine the population of the Legal Service Area.
- Public Libraries that have a written agreement with the county, were established by the county and the city or receive the majority of their funding from the county receive the latest U.S. Census Estimate for their county population minus the legal service areas of any other libraries in that county.
- Public Libraries who do not have a written agreement with the county or another community receive the latest U.S. Census Estimate for their community.
- Non-profit libraries receive the latest U.S. Census figures for their specific community and any other communities they have written agreements to serve.
- Non-profit libraries in un-incorporated areas that are not Census Designated Places receive the 2000 population using the U.S. Census Blocks.
