Library board schedules special meeting

By Patrick Fox

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

After county commissioners sent it a threatening letter, the Board of Trustees of the Gwinnett Library System has called a special meeting to reconsider proposed changes in library service.

This marks the second time in two months county commissioners have asked the library board to reconsider action. The first occurred in August after the board voted to close the Dacula branch library to provide staffing for the new Hamilton Mill Library, which is scheduled to open early next year. That action drew an outpouring of protest from Dacula residents and some residents of other communities.

The measure was dissolved Sept. 22 when the board voted to restructure the entire system, dividing the county into three zones, each with a regional library with expanded hours, three community branches and one computer lab.

Reaction to the restructuring initiative was mixed among residents of Lilburn and Snellville and Dacula, where local branches were to be converted into computer labs.  Dacula residents threatened court action against the plan.

The special meeting Wednesday will not provide for public comment. It will be at 6:30 p.m. at the Administrative Office, 1001 Lawrenceville Highway, Lawrenceville. The meeting room seats about 30, said library system spokeswoman Michelle Long.

Last week, county commissioners Kevin Kenerly, Bert Nasuti and Mike Beaudreau sent a letter to the five-member board and library executive director Nancy Stanbery-Kellam asking them to reconsider the restructuring plan. Commissioners said "the community does not consider computer labs to be libraries, but rather expect that a library involves direct access to books, with the ability to browse the shelves and check out a book."

The letter recommended the neighborhood arrangement remain intact, and that budget cuts be spread out uniformly among all 15 branches.

Commissioners also stressed that if a reorganization is necessary, it should be conducted in the open, with adequate opportunity for public input. Neither action the library board took in August and September was presented to the public for consideration prior to the board meeting.

Commissioner Beadreau said if the county commission's recommendation is not followed, the county could revoke funding or reorganize the board.