Library Board Remains Wary of SB348

(posted Feb 5)

The Speedway Public Library Board called the removal of Marion County from SB 348 "winning the first battle" of the war on consolidation.

SB 348 originally called for reorganizing libraries in all 92 counties to provide better access to unserved areas by creating planning committees in each county. Two of the three options open to planning committees would require consolidating library boards on a county or multi-county basis, the third option allows for independent boards. A large group of Speedway residents braved last week's large snowstorm to protest at the January 28 Senate Committee on Local Government hearing on the bill. The committee amended the bill to exclude Marion county.

The board spent approximately 20 minutes at its Feb 4 meeting reviewing the hearing and planning its strategy for the next round of hearings.Library director Darsi Bohr said the bill has been forwarded to the Appropriations Committee, where there is a chance Marion County would be added back into the bill.

Bohr said the bill would have Speedway tax dollars diverted to the library planning committee that over sees the coalition. Bohr said the bill is more of a coalition of libraries than a consolidation. However, Bohr sees it as a stepping stone to consolidation.

Bohr said that none of the 400,000 Hoosiers without library access are in Marion County, and noted the legislators failed to address the reason for the lack of service in some areas. Many do not have libraries because they do not want to pay a library tax.

Board member Lynda Miller explained that residents in Pittsboro can have access to Brownsburg's library by paying $100 for a card. Bohr said the public outside of Speedway can have a card from the Speedway Library for $55.00. The card fee varies in each library system.

Miller said it is important to remain “vigilant” to make sure the bill is passed as amended. She said no date has been set for the Appropriations Committee hearing.

Board member Gene Markiewicz said “I thought our community was a little myopic in that we are a more diverse community than we appear to be.” He said the library does take care of its cultural needs and that should be known. He said those were his personal comments, but those are hot points to discuss at the next State House meeting.