Dear Friends,
We cannot thank you enough for the immense support you have been showing to Skidompha and our fellow libraries. We are always so proud to be part of this community, and every day you remind us why.
With that in mind, we would like to give you an update! The Maine Legislature has scheduled a public hearing to discuss the bill LD 1404 “Resolve, to Create a Working Group on the Status of School Libraries and on Public Libraries in Maine” this Wednesday (April 9) at 10:00 AM.
What this bill proposes is that a group comprised of the Maine State Librarian, the President of the Maine State Library Association, the President of the Maine Association of School Libraries, a representative of the Maine Principals’ Association, a representative from the Maine School Superintendents Association, and representatives from a variety of public, municipal, and school libraries, the Department of Education, and the Maine State Library will convene to study the function of Maine libraries. They would be studying:
- Library services for specific segments of the Maine population (including children, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, immigrant and migrant communities, tribal communities, and individuals in remote areas of the state);
- The role that libraries play in emergency preparedness; cultural diversity and inclusion; public health and safety; community identity and resiliency; economic development; and
- Access to public services and resources; and the current overall status of school and public libraries in the State, including information on partnerships, resources, facilities, technology and staffing.
The State Librarian would then be required to report on the group’s findings and recommendations by November 1, 2027.
If you would like to read the bill in its entirety, it can be found here.
I know this all sounds daunting, but it is a huge step forward. Every bit of legislative effort to uphold and support the work done by libraries in our state matters, and here is the part where we are once again asking for your help in this important process — we encourage everyone to testify or submit a written comment in support of this bill. Your support matters!
To sign up to testify at a Public Hearing and/or submit written testimony, please visit this link, or contact the Committee Clerk.
Thank you again for your ongoing support, and extra thanks to our Representatives and Senators for sponsoring this bill.
Meghan Hawkes
Communications Coordinator
Skidompha Public Library