The close of the 1999–2000 legislative session in Kentucky brought public and school librarians two largely unfunded affirmations of their professional worth to state lawmakers.
On April 21 Gov. Paul E. Patton approved the creation of a Public Library Facilities Construction Fund to help with debt service payments on capital bond issues, as well as a Public Library Services Improvement and Equalization Fund “to assure substantially equal public library services for all [Kentucky] citizens.” State Librarian James Nelson told American Libraries that a $6-million appropriation for the initiative has been reduced to $350,000, which he said will “kick in” in 2002.
Fifteen days earlier, Patton signed HB 324, which mandates that every elementary and secondary school contain a library run by a certified school media librarian. The law, which gives school districts latitude to have school librarians manage more than one library at a time, requires school councils to consult with librarians about the purchase of instructional materials, technology, and equipment.
Posted May 15, 2000.