JEFFERSON CITY — Librarians urged Missouri lawmakers Wednesday to close the book on a plan to make public library boards throughout Missouri elected positions instead of appointed.
Under legislation sponsored by Rep. Tony Lovasco, R-O’Fallon, the boards that oversee libraries would be chosen for two-year terms by voters in November elections.
He said the change could help smooth out controversies over books by making trustees directly elected by voters.
“I’ve seen some stuff that’s pretty disturbing. The best way to address that is through elected library boards,†Lovasco told members of the House Emerging Issues Committee.
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But librarians said having to conduct elections would divert money from books and other materials.
The current system, in which trustees are appointed by mayors, county executives or county commissions, should be left intact.
Claudia Young, director of the Missouri River Regional Library in Jefferson City, said running elections would cost the district $34,000 every two years.
“That’s a lot of books. I’m concerned about that,†Young said. “I feel the process has been working well for many years.â€
Margaret Conroy, director of the Daniel Boone Regional Library District in Columbia, said, “We think this needs to be shelved.â€
Margaret Perkins McGuinness of the Kansas City Public Library, decried the level of politics that has enveloped libraries in recent years, with fights over the content of books and efforts by Republicans to defund libraries.
“Such a bill would create a highly politicized library board,†McGuinness said. “Our libraries are stretched very thin already.â€
Lovasco suggested that his proposal was still a work in progress, especially after librarians across the state raised red flags about the concept after he introduced the measure in late January.
“I’m sure you’ve all gotten inundated with emails,†Lovasco told members of the panel.
He said he is seeking answers after St. Charles County library board meetings became a venue for residents to complain about books with sexual content being available.
He said he may make changes to the legislation, such as extending the length of the terms to three years or finding funding to pay for the elections, which the Missouri Library Association estimates would cost $11 million statewide.
His colleagues on the panel also gave bad reviews of the concept.
“I‘ve had so many people contact me about this one,†said Rep. Michael Burton, D-Lakeshire. “I just don’t think this is a good idea.â€
“I trust my luck to the officials in my area to appoint those people,†added Rep. Gretchen Bangert, D-Florissant.
“We hear your concerns,†said Rep. Jim Murphy, a south ºüÀêÊÓƵ County Republican who chairs the committee.
The legislation is Hous