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.