The following letter was written by Audrey Betcher, Rochester Public Library Director, supporting an Arts and Cultural Heritage appropriation to the regional public library systems.
I am writing to request that the administration of the legacy funding for libraries remain at the regional library systems. Our regional system, SELCO, has done a great deal of work to create a system that works for all the public libraries in the region. The system uses local input, allows innovation, encourages partnerships, yet is accessible to every library no matter its size or staffing levels.
The goal of the legacy funds is to bring the arts to all areas of the state, and no one does that better than public libraries. The current administration of the legacy funds for libraries is working efficiently and it guarantees that all citizens benefit. The proposed changes will increase the administration costs and will make the program less accessible to many public libraries.
Thank you for your work on this important bill.
Sincerely,
Audrey Betcher, Director
Rochester Public Library