The Library Board discussed ongoing conversations with city leaders regarding the board’s structure and election of members Tuesday night.
Board members are appointed to their positions, with two members representing the township and three representing the town. However, this could change in the next year.
Library Board President Eric Magette said once the state legislative session begins, the board and city officials will ask the legislature to amend Senate Bill 59, which relates to Eudora’s library district, to allow the direct election of board members.
Magette said electing board members is a valid option for many reasons, including how it gives people more of a say into the makeup of the board.
“We’re a taxing entity and it’s appropriate that if you’re able to levy taxes, people should have a say,” Magette said.
There was a little conflict over the timing of this request to the Legislature, as the board was preoccupied with the new library proposal last spring, Magette said. However, Magette said the city makes a valid point in making sure members are elected.
If the board continues to look at options related to a new library and some of these options involve working closely with the city, board members should not feel pressure by city leaders since they were appointed by them. Having an at-large election for board members would remove this pressure, Magette said.
“We need to be very open to working with the city,” Magette said. “One of the things we learned in March is that without their 100% support behind us, we’re not going to get anywhere. If they’re willing to work on the new building with us, that’s an avenue we’ll have to explore.”
In other business, board members discussed a community survey that will likely be sent to residents in order to gauge their feelings on the library proposal that failed in a city vote last spring.
The board plans to meet Wednesday night with the ETC Institute, a market research and survey company. The total cost for the survey will be roughly $7,000 and will be paid with funds raised for the proposed library.
Board members discussed questions they might want to include in the survey. Board Treasurer Amy Jankowski suggested including the question, “Was your vote based on the concept or the cost?”
“If it was the concept, what can we change specifically?” Jankowski said.
As Eudora prepares for growth related to the new Panasonic battery factory, the entire city may feel its effects, even the library. Community members may want the library to provide different services as the town’s population and infrastructure expands, the board said.
“Will the upcoming economic expansion play a part in your opinion on the library?” Board Vice President Mike Keltner said the survey could ask.
In other business, Library Director Carol Wohlford shared her report on recent events, including a Veterans Day coffee. Over 60 people showed up to the library and leftover doughnuts were donated to Homestead Assisted Living and Memory Care and Medicalodges Eudora.
The library also received a DCCCA grant, which is meant to dissuade middle school-aged children from using drugs or alcohol. Age appropriate events planned for the kids include a self-defense workshop at Forge Martial Arts in January.
The library board’s next meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 20.
Reach reporter Abby Shepherd at [email protected]
