Legislature(2007 - 2008)HOUSE FINANCE 519
04/01/2008 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB158 | |
| HB353 | |
| SB119 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 353 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 119 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 158 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 119(RLS)
An Act relating to grant programs to support
libraries.
GINNY AUSTERMAN, STAFF, SENATOR DONALD OLSON, SPONSOR,
explained that SB 119 establishes a public library
construction grant program to be used for expanding library
materials. The State would match up to 50% of the cost of
new library construction or major expansion for eligible
communities. Local government would be responsible for at
least a 20% match. The remainder can be provided by private
donors. The Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development will administer the grant and promulgate
regulations to establish ranking criteria. A maximum grant
of $3,000 to a public school library is included to be used
for library materials.
3:19:35 PM
Co-Chair Meyer noted the bill originally pertained to
grants to public libraries. Ms. Austerman said the Sponsor
supports the additional language for construction funds.
Representative Thomas referred to a harbors bill
prohibiting using General Fund money through a capital
appropriation to be used as match money. He wondered if
that applied to libraries.
3:21:12 PM
Co-Chair Meyer OPENED PUBLIC TESTIMONY.
BARB BRYSON, ALASKA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL LIBRARIANS
(testified via teleconference}, spoke in support of the
bill. Studies show that a school library program that is
adequately staffed, resourced, and funded can lead to
higher student achievement regardless of the socio-economic
or education levels of that community. The problem is that
some libraries have a zero budget year after year. Based on
statistics, the median budget for school libraries nation-
wide was $9,368; the average budget in the Pacific
Northwest was $19,211. In Alaska, the average total 2006-07
school library budget was $4,284. Replacing library
materials is expensive. The average cost of a children's
hard cover book was $21. An annual grant could assist in
improving library collections. Librarians around the state
encourage support of the bill.
3:23:48 PM
ROZ STRANGE, PRINCIPAL, VALDEZ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (testified
via teleconference), supported the legislation. She thinks
libraries provide important resources and build community.
She pointed out that some Alaskan communities have no
library other than their school library. The grants could
make an importance difference in a community.
3:26:13 PM
PAM OCKERLANDER, MATSU FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY (testified
via teleconference), talked about the Battle of the Books
program. As popular as the program is, there is not enough
money to find the books for the program, let alone new
books and other resources for the library. Friends of the
Library hopes to build a new library in her community. She
referred to a library that doubled the amount of people
coming into the library when they doubled the space.
3:28:45 PM
JULIA EDE, MATSU FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY (testified via
teleconference), spoke in strong support of the bill. She
stated concerns regarding the construction funds for small
communities for libraries. She thought libraries could
provide Alaskans with information and resources to address
issues like energy and other problems.
3:30:13 PM
LYNN MCNAMARA, LIBRARIAN, ANCHORAGE (testified via
teleconference), spoke in support of SB 119. In smaller
Alaskan communities the school library is the only library.
In many cases the school library budget is set by each
principal, which forces principals to make hard choices.
The bill will encourage principals to put money into their
libraries. She thought a library collection was
infrastructure and not supporting a collection was like
deferred maintenance. The books must change with the times.
3:33:51 PM
Representative Hawker stated that he would work to make
sure that small communities would be included in the bill.
PATRICIA LINVILLE, SEWARD COMMUNITY LIBRARY (testified via
teleconference), spoke in support of the legislation. His
library is the only municipally funded public library on
the eastern Kenai Peninsula. Besides books, they provide
assistance to people needing tax forms, PFD online
applications, applying for jobs, homework, computer games.
Seasonal workers check their email and get information.
They are planning a new library and will apply for the
matching grant.
3:36:51 PM
CHARLOTTE GLOVER, YOUTH SERVICES LIBRARIAN, KETCHIKAN
PUBLIC LIBRARY (testified via teleconference), supports
funding for library construction and the library assistance
grant program. She has seen many grant applications from
school librarians and teachers detailing how limited their
resources are for new books. Book circulation continues to
grow at the public library; they loan an average of 600
books a month to the school library. Teachers often spend
their own money to buy the books their students need. Many
children have no access to books other than through the
community library. Studies have shown that well-stocked
libraries increase literacy.
3:40:26 PM
CATHY BOUTIN, LIBRARIAN, DZANTIK'I HEENI MIDDLE SCHOOL,
JUNEAU, spoke in support of the bill. She showed the
Committee a wide variety of beautiful books and magazines
with large price tags on them. She then showed old, out-of-
date books from the library shelves. She said a $3000 grant
would go a long way to stock the school library.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY CLOSED.
Co-Chair Meyer reminded the Committee the version before
them was CS SB 119 (RULES).
Representative Thomas asked why the grant was limited to
towns of 10,000 people or more.
DARWIN PETERSON, STAFF, SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND
SENATOR BERT STEDMAN, answered that the reason for the cap
is the intent is to help small communities without
libraries. There is no appropriation in the fiscal note
because the Senate would like to see how many applications
are received and make the appropriation in the next fiscal
year.
3:46:12 PM
Representative Hawker wanted to verify grant eligibility
requirements on page 2, line 9, especially item (2)
"located in a community with less than 10,000 persons." He
thought the word community" and not "municipality" was
chosen in order accommodate a community like Girdwood,
which is part of a larger municipality but a discreet
community. Mr. Peterson clarified that as the Senate
Finance Committee amended the legislation, the word was
chosen because it is nebulous and can cover cities, towns,
or boroughs with a population of 10,000 or less.
Representative Hawker further asked if the intent of the
language included Girdwood. Mr. Peterson answered that the
intent was not to exclude any communities or cities within
any organized borough, but to exclude larger boroughs that
do not have the level of need that very small communities
have.
3:49:46 PM
Representative Hawker referred to the Work Draft with
changes made to the eligibility criteria.
Co-Chair Meyer asked why Juneau, Fairbanks, and Anchorage
were excluded. Mr. Peterson explained that the intent
behind the cap is that larger towns have well-served
libraries. There are smaller communities in organized and
unorganized Alaska that have no library. If the larger
communities were included, the Senate feared they would use
up the small amount of money.
Co-Chair Meyer stated that the larger libraries, who serve
many people, could use the grants. He understood that the
intent as to focus on the smaller communities. There was a
discussion about the need in larger communities and the
cap.
CS SB 119(RLS) was HEARD and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
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