Truth Report
Township officials in Indiana aren't the only ones worried about the future of their governmental unit.
The Indiana Commission on Local Government Reform last year proposed creating 92 countywide library systems to replace the 239 library districts that exist statewide. That, the commission maintained, would assure service in underserved areas and economies of scale.
Library officials across Indiana aren't so sure, and they've been working on a proposal that would allow change in how library systems are organized but permit a measure of autonomy, said Linda Yoder. She heads the Nappanee Public Library and the Indiana Public Library Association.
"In our view, one size doesn't fit all," Yoder said. Ninety-two county systems "may be too simplistic."
With a countywide system, Yoder worries areas like Nappanee -- far from Elkhart County's main population centers -- would lose resources. Some in more rural outposts worry their libraries could face closure altogether.
Even if they stay open, different library systems have different priorities. Yoder worries the commission proposal would result in homogenization of offerings. "There's definitely differences and that's what we don't want to lose," she said.
The proposal in the works would potentially go before lawmakers in the coming session.