By PAULENE POPARAD

Westchester Public Library Board members expressed deep concern Thursday that if a state Blue Ribbon panel urges consolidation of library systems, the local programs and even facilities that WPL patrons now enjoy would be threatened.

WPL director Phil Baugher sounded the alarm that some believe mandatory consolidation of smaller library systems like WPL with a larger county or metropolitan system is only a matter of time.

The Porter County Library system now serves most of the county; WPL serves primarily Westchester Township although non-resident patrons also are served for a fee.

The uproar in the wake of soaring property tax bills in other areas of the state prompted formation of the Indiana Commission on Local Government Reform, charged with reporting to the Indiana General Assembly by Jan. 1.

The commission’s purpose is to recommend a leaner, more cost-effective way to provide public services to Hoosiers. Baugher said with 239 public library districts in the state, WPL looks like a likely target. Eliminating township government as a whole has been proposed as well. “I think it’s going to be a time of radical change in Indiana,” said the director.

“We’re in a crisis again,” said WPL board member Rick Hokanson.

In 2001 Bethlehem Steel went bankrupt, its millions of dollars in property taxes went unpaid and WPL was forced to cut service hours and employees. The community stepped up to volunteer time and resources to see WPL through that dark time, and Library Board member Sharon Robbins said it appears WPL needs a groundswell of public support again.

Board members brainstormed how to let area state legislators know the value of WPL to its patrons, and how to let the public know the programs and services they enjoy are likely threatened. Under a consolidated library system, said board members, it’s questionable whether Hageman Library in Porter and the WPL-sponsored Westchester Township Museum would remain open.

Board member John Corso said it’s pretty close to inevitable that if the board and community don’t act and react now, WPL could lose many of the programs it offers, too.

Tonight concludes the library’s popular summer family film nights, each preceeded by musical entertainment in Chesterton’s Thomas Park.

Board member Claire Jolie said in a small town worried about crime and drugs, a library becomes a focal point for the community. “In Chesterton, kids walk and come on their bikes to the library.”

Baugher said WPL needs to get the message out its Library Board, who are unpaid appointed volunteers, are fiscally responsible and responsive to the community. Under a consolidated library system, the voice of local stakeholders would be diminished, he predicted.

Last night’s meeting was a public hearing, at which no public commented, on the proposed $2.8 million library budget for 2008. Aug. 23 the budget will be considered for adoption. Baugher said unlike other units of government, property taxes are the sole way WPL is funded.

Library Board president Karen Nash asked WPL attorney Terry Hiestand to draft a proposed letter for the board to send to legislators, and she urged the board to make the public more aware of the threat to WPL so they can contact legislators directly also.

Board member Vern Odom said it’s not encouraging that despite the huge public outcries against closing the Chesterton license bureau and privatization of the Indiana Toll Road, both happened anyway.

Posted 8/10/2007