A. The “rural libraries grant program” is created. Through that program, the state librarian shall annually disburse, in the form of grants directly benefiting developing rural libraries and established rural libraries and grants for the establishment of developing rural libraries in cities, towns and villages without libraries, money from the rural libraries program fund. The state librarian shall endeavor each year to disburse the full amount available for rural libraries grants. The portion, if any, of that amount not disbursed shall be made available for the next award of grants.

B. Once a developing rural library or an established rural library qualifies to receive grants pursuant to this section, that library shall remain qualified to receive such grants even if the population in the municipality or Indian nation, tribe or pueblo exceeds three thousand.

C. The state librarian shall use money allocated for specialized services to rural libraries from the rural libraries endowment fund distribution to provide specialized services to rural libraries.