Nikki Andrews

As a library Trustee myself, I am asking you to encourage your committee to vote NO or ITL on HB 1214. It is a frivolous bill that was submitted for all the wrong reasons. It is irresponsible to enact a law that will affect ALL libraries when the problem exists only at ONE library, the sponsor’s library in Londonderry. The democratic method of correcting a bad situation is by electing new library trustees. The idea that transferring the governance of an established municipal entity such as the library with its own chapter of RSAs (202-A) to another municipal board such as a select board is a preposterous solution. In 2013 a similar bill, HB 436, (This bill permits a town to choose, at its regular meeting, whether the town library shall be governed by a board of trustees or by the selectmen.) failed for the same reasons that I have stated above. Library trustees are well versed in the RSAs relating to their work, and in addition are intimately familiar with the unique needs of their own library. Asking a select board to take on the responsibility of managing a large, complex institution that usually requires its director to hold advanced degrees simply does not make sense. New Hampshire does not need more laws when existing laws suffice. Please vote NO or ITL on HB 1214.