§ 249. State library, when open; use of books. The state library shall
be kept open at least eight hours each day on five days every week in
the year except the legal holidays known as Independence day,
Thanksgiving day and Christmas day. Nothing in this section shall
prohibit the regents from opening the state library on other days and
times. Members of the legislature, judges of the court of appeals,
justices of the supreme court and heads of state departments may borrow
from the library books for use in Albany, but shall be subject to such
restrictions and penalties as may be prescribed by the regents for the
safety or greater usefulness of the library. Under such rules and
conditions as the regents may prescribe, the state library may lend its
books and printed material for a limited time to other individuals and
institutions conforming to said rules and conditions. Such service shall
be free to residents of this state as far as practicable, but the
regents may, in their discretion, charge a proper fee to nonresidents or
for assistance of a personal nature or for other reason not properly an
expense to the state, but which may be authorized for the accommodation
of users of the library.