Legislative Alerts

Legislative News | Legislative Testimony | MLA Legislative Panel

The proposed commission – S.B.571 does not provide adequate representation of key stakeholders – the public library systems of Maryland and their patrons who pay for more than half of the State Library Resource Center’s costs, the City Council of Baltimore, many of the citizen groups interested in the growth of library service in Baltimore or Maryland, e.g. BUILD, the Citizens for Maryland Libraries. It also makes no provision for membership by professional librarians or others with special expertise beyond the representative of the State Superintendent of Education.
A court case is pending – Some of the most active proponents of SB 571 have also sued the library concerning the governance of the Library. The Court’s decision on these issues will be binding on all parties including the task force proposed in S.B. 571. This task force could not properly prepare a useful set of recommendations until the case is concluded – quite possibly not before the end of 2003.
The System’s progress over the last eight years. – Why fix it if it is not broken. Over the last eight years the library has maintained a high level of service despite financial restraints. One of the indicators of success has been that the Library received support in excess of 90% (leading all City services) when bonds have been submitted to the voters.
Legal issues raised by the Charter – The Enoch Pratt Free Library’s Charter (a bonding agreement between the State and Mr. Pratt) creates a specific form of governance for the Library that has adapted to new conditions and served it well for over 120 years.
Branch closings – S.B. 571 originated because of concern created by the closing of branch libraries in 1997 and 2001. These closings were caused by budgetary issues in which governance played no part.
Previous and on-going studies – There are several studies already completed or well underway with community input that provide a basis for future decisions necessary regarding the library’s services and costs. Among these are:
The Library with its professional consultant and through community forums and input are preparing a Facilities and Services plan due for completion in 2003.
Special commission convened by the Baltimore Community Foundation, the Commission on Pratt Library Finance, made a detailed study and recommendations in 1997. The Library has been quite successful in implementing the recommendations made in the area of state and private fundraising.
A committee of the Library’s Board of Trustees has begun a review of its procedures and composition and expects to enact a number of changes by the end of 2003.