Legislature(1997 - 1998)
04/04/1997 10:04 AM Senate HES
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SB 148 PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Number 200
CHAIRMAN WILKEN noted that SB 146 would not be taken up today, but
would be before the committee on Wednesday. Chairman Wilken
announced that SB 148 was the last order of business before the
committee.
MARY JACKSON , Staff to Senator Torgerson, informed the committee
that SB 148 is a companion to HB 197. SB 148 establishes a
definition of public library in order to provide a criteria for
funding libraries under existing grant programs.
GEORGE SMITH , Deputy Director of the Division of Libraries,
Archives & Museums, discussed the history of Alaska's support of
public libraries. Mr. Smith noted that the $1 to $1 match of the
grant program has not been possible for a number of years, every
library receives the basic $5,000 grant. The match has been
prorated and in recent years, no more than $2,000 match has been
provided. In the last three or four years, no library has received
more than $7,000. Mr. Smith explained that about five years ago,
a number of libraries requested that a law defining a public
library be developed. SB 148 was developed through the work of
Public Library Directors of the 19 largest libraries in Alaska.
The legislation was also reviewed by the Education Subcommittee of
the Alaska Municipal League who would like to see SB 148 move
forward.
Number 285
SB 148 addresses two major issues. Firstly, SB 148 addresses some
administrative issues found in the following sections. Section 6
specifies the minimum levels of service that a public library
should provide to be eligible for a grant. Section 5 provides a
structure for Library Boards if the community decides to have such.
Mr. Smith noted that many cities do not have such a board, rather
the city council acts in that capacity. Section 2 requires
nonprofit corporations that run public libraries to conduct board
meetings in public. Of Alaska's 85 public libraries, 22 are
operated by nonprofit corporations. Section 6 allows nonprofits in
unorganized boroughs, outside of cities to qualify as a community
per the Department of Community & Regional Affairs definition of
community.
Secondly, SB 148 radically restructures the nature of the grant
program which is located in Section 3. Currently, a community can
receive a $5,000 grant without any local effort. There is a
matching portion that does require local effort. SB 148 specifies
that a library would not be eligible for a grant without local
effort at a minimum of $5,000. The current law requires that the
match be in money, but SB 148 would allow in-kind service which
recognizes the efforts of volunteer services. This would stabilize
many of the small libraries. Mr. Smith acknowledged that a few
libraries at the lower end who have never contributed locally will
have to decide whether to contribute or close. Based on libraries'
annual reports, between five and ten libraries will face a
difficult question regarding whether to provide local effort. On
the other hand, 15-20 libraries will fair better because of the in-
kind service. Under SB 148 if there is ever more money for this
program, any amount available above $7,000 per library would be
distributed on a per capita basis.
Mr. Smith pointed out that Section 7 sunsets two public library
construction grant programs which no longer exist. Mr. Smith noted
that the state library has been giving public library grants,
interlibrary cooperation grants, and regional services grants. The
regional services grants never appeared in law, although those
grants have been functioning since the 1970s. Sections 1 and 2
clarify that situation by recognizing regional services grants
which provides books by mail service.
Number 391
SENATOR LEMAN referred to page 2, line 6 when asking if that
language would prevent libraries from charging shipping fees.
GEORGE SMITH said that the language would not prevent the charge of
transportation fees. Across the country, a sizable interlibrary
loan fee has evolved and in addition there is a shipping cost.
SB 148 would merely eliminate the interlibrary loan fee and charge
only the shipping fee which all libraries in Alaska have done for
many years.
SENATOR LEMAN asked if there was a standard methodology regarding
how in-kind services are valued. GEORGE SMITH said that this would
need to be addressed in regulation. Mr. Smith believed that in-
kind service should be valued slightly under the level of a city
clerk in that particular region, but not less than $10 per hour.
SENATOR LEMAN suggested that Mr. Smith consider a minimal cash
contribution from the community in order to help establish the
community's ownership of the library. Senator Leman referred to
page 4, line 3 which refers to the items the library would provide
free of charge. Senator Leman assumed that the library could
charge fees for fines, copying, etc. GEORGE SMITH said that there
is no charge for a resident of the community to check out a book.
Mr. Smith noted that libraries with a data base service would be
allowed to charge a fee.
Number 459
MOE MCGEE , Director of Anchorage Municipal Libraries, supported
SB 148. Ms. McGee discussed the meetings that took place between
various library directors with state library staff in order to
draft public library law for Alaska. This process resulted in a
closeness between the directors which will benefit future
endeavors. From the Anchorage perspective, Ms. McGee was pleased
with the per capita provisions beyond the basic grant. Ms. McGee
appreciated the support of the state library in this process.
GREG HILL , Fairbanks North Star Borough Library, informed the
committee of a report from the National Center for Education
Statistics which reports that 44 percent of all U.S. households
used a public library last month. The report also found that 65
percent of all U.S. households used a public library in the last
year. Alaska ranks even higher; 56 percent of Alaskans used a
public library last month and 76 percent of Alaskans used a public
library last year. Mr. Hill believed it time for legislation to
define public libraries to be used to lay the foundation for the
future. SB 148 requires local commitment and provides an incentive
with the recognition of in-kind service. Mr. Hill urged the
passage of SB 148.
PAUL BLAIR , testifying from Glennallen, informed the committee that
the Glennallen library was in an unincorporated borough with a
minimum of $5,000 grant. Mr. Blair said that either way, the
Glennallen library would be hurt. Mr. Blair referred to the
language in Section 2, subsection (b) stating " Only one library in
a city or unincorporated community is eligible for a public library
assistance grant during a fiscal year. " Does that language apply
to an unincorporated borough with nine libraries or does that not
apply to an unincorporated borough?
GEORGE SMITH explained that there could be any number of recognized
libraries within an unincorporated borough, the language only
refers to within one community as defined by Community & Regional
Affairs. If Community & Regional Affairs recognizes a community as
eligible for state grants, SB 148 would as well.
PAUL BLAIR indicated the need for more specific language on that
matter. GEORGE SMITH pointed out that the Community & Regional
Affairs law specifies that each viable community is separate and
eligible, although that is not mentioned in SB 148.
Number 527
PAUL BLAIR believed that the specified range of $5,000 to $7,000
for matching grants would hurt the small libraries such as in
Glennallen. Mr. Blair cited a case in Glennallen in which there
was a small in-kind base to draw from as well as greater utility
expenses; that would create difficulties matching grants greater
than $7,000. Mr. Blair suggested that the low end of the range be
lowered and the high end be raised so as to consider the smaller
libraries. GEORGE SMITH noted that Glennallen is one of the more
stable smaller libraries which has had the maximum matching amount
for years. SB 148 could actually help Glennallen, especially with
the in-kind matching allowed. Mr. Smith agreed that a maximum of
more than $7,000 would be nice, but the reality is that there is a
limited amount of money available.
PAUL BLAIR said that he was in favor of the general content of
SB 148.
JOYCE JENKINS , Director of the Petersburg Library, echoed the
comments regarding the time spent on this legislation. The
increased accountability for libraries through the definition are
important and need to be in law. Ms. Jenkins commented that the
greatest difficulty was balancing the needs of the small and large
libraries which SB 148 achieves. Ms. Jenkins encouraged the
committee's support of SB 148.
SENATOR WARD moved to report SB 148 out of committee with
individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal notes. Without
objection, it was so ordered.
CHAIRMAN WILKEN asked if there was anything else to come before the
committee.
SENATOR ELLIS inquired as to the progress of the sex offender
registration bill. CHAIRMAN WILKEN said that he would work on
that. There being no further business before the committee, the
meeting was adjourned at 10:50 a.m.
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