Ventura County, California's plan to reorganize its 80-year-old library agency to give local communities more control over their branches (see American Libraries, Aug. 1997, p. 23) got two votes of approval in December by communities affected by the proposal. The city of Ventura on December 15 and Moorpark City on December 17 agreed to the new system, bringing the total to six out of seven municipalities in favor. Approvals have already been obtained from Simi Valley, Camarillo, Ojai, and Fillmore. The Port Hueneme City Council will vote on the issue January 7, according to the December 17 Los Angeles Times.
Under the new system, an eight-member panel made up of a representative from each city, in conjunction with the board of supervisors, will make budgetary and staffing decisions. No decision by the oversight panel can be overridden without a four-fifths vote by the board.
Posted January 5, 1998.