Commissioners likely to decide library’s fate Monday
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Over the last year, that skill has been apparent. Robbins has done work to help the library receive a $11,700 grant for a McMinnville Housing Authority creative writing program. Another of her grants, good for $3,685, has been approved to buy new computer software and new computers for the library.
But it’s that $3,685 computer grant which is now in jeopardy. Even though it’s been approved, the state is prepared to snatch the money away if Warren County commissioners don’t restore $6,000 to the library budget by Sept. 26.
“We desperately need the new computer software,” said Robbins, who reports the library’s current computer system requires almost constant maintenance. “We just keep putting Band-Aids on the problem.”
The problem of library funding arose during this year’s budget meetings when county officials made wide cuts to a number of departments and charitable organizations. The library was one of those organizations which saw its funding drop from $116,000 a year to $110,000.
But there’s more to reducing library funding than meets the eye because virtually every public library in Tennessee has signed a Maintenance of Effort agreement with the state. The agreement plainly states library funding can never be reduced.
“We don’t require library funding to increase, although we would like that,” said State Librarian Edwin Gleaves. “All we require is for the funding to stay the same.”
That didn’t happen in Warren County which is why Magness Library is in jeopardy of losing some 4,000 books and many more valuable services if the funding isn’t restored in less than two weeks. Considering the timetable, commissioners could amend the docket to vote on the measure during their regularly scheduled meeting Monday night, though the measure isn’t officially listed.
“It would definitely be detrimental to our library,” said Robbins when asked about losing state support. “The books would hurt, but we would also lose services which are practically invaluable.”
Magness Library board chairperson Pat Bigbee says the state cuts could impact more than just the library.
“The state has intimated that this could affect more than just library grants,” said Bigbee. “It could ultimately affect any grant the county applies for. That’s why it’s so important to maintain a good relationship with the state.”