The following letter written by Ken Behringer, the Dakota County Library Director was sent to members of the County's legislative delegation. The text is shared here with permission.
Please hold to original House position on Legacy Funds for regional public library systems
I need your help addressing the Senate version of a bill announced this week that would significantly limit public libraries’ access to Legacy funds. I’m asking you to retain in conference committee the House proposal to directly dedicate Legacy funds to regional public library systems.
The two most noteworthy problems with the Senate changes are 1) that regional public library systems would be required to compete in a competitive grant process for future Legacy funds, and 2) would be required to do so under a program administered by the State Arts Board.
Our library staffing levels are down by more than 20 positions. In fact Dakota County government has returned to 2001 staffing levels, even though our population has grown by 50,000. We know we’re not alone. Filling out extensive forms for a competitive grant process is going to take time we’d rather dedicate to serving our residents. Some of the smaller libraries in the state will simply find it impossible to do. One of the values of using regional public library systems as conduits for Legacy funds is that it opens up program opportunities the 360 public libraries in every corner of the state.
I also can’t help but believe that setting up the guidelines, application forms/procedures, evaluation processes, contract documents and other aspects of a State Arts Board-run program will just mean delays into getting programs to Minnesota residents.
As we have discussed in the past, the library community understands your position on limiting costs for single, high-visibility programs and in the MELSA area we have built safeguards into the system to see that this expectation is met.
In order for the Library participation in the Legacy program to move forward efficiently and with the least bureaucracy, I urge you to retain in conference committee the House proposal to dedicate Legacy funds directly to regional public library systems.
Please let me know if you have questions or concerns. Thanks for your time and interest.
Ken Behringer, Director
Dakota County Library