Karen Bohrer

I submit this testimony as a member of the public and also as someone who has been a library trustee and a librarian and who has always been a regular patron of the local public library. While I understand that there may be towns in New Hampshire that would prefer to have their public libraries under the control of their local governing bodies, to have that option available by law to any town in New Hampshire opens the door to potential partisan abuse and the erosion of a relationship that works now and has worked for the clear majority of towns in New Hampshire. An independent library board, working in collaboration with a town or city's governing body, is able to be more community-focused and to weather political changes over time to keep that strong community focus. An independent library board of trustees can and usually does ensure that the public library, inarguably a public good, remains responsive to its community, responsibly stewards public funds and donations, sets important policies, and upholds the values of intellectual freedom and access to library resources. I understand further that this bill, if passed, creates only an option for towns and cities but the mere existence of he option will be temptation to exercise it and not always for the the best reasons. "Bad" boards, library and governing, can have their members voted out if voters in a town or city are unhappy with how a town or a public library is being governed. The change in the law this bill would make is NOT necessary. Thank you.