Committee Oks Library Program

Money for a database service that would allow every library in the state access to articles from thousands of magazines has been approved by the Legislature’s budget committee.

The $465,000 program, recommended this year by Gov. Phil Batt, would provide big-city library resources to even the smallest, most isolated Idaho libraries. School libraries across the state also would have access to the service.

“It’s a great day for libraries in the state of Idaho, and their patrons as well,” Anne Abrams, special projects director for the Idaho State Library, said Wednesday.

Librarians say the service would allow local patrons to get information on everything from advanced academic research to home repair, marketing to pesticides. Likely users range from junior high students to business executives.

If the full Legislature approves the budget presented by its budget committee, which is likely, the state library will begin a request for proposals process to select a vendor for the service. It could be up and running by next fall.

The funds were earmarked in two places - the public schools technology budget and the state library budget.

Librarians, teachers, library trustees and patrons across the state wrote to the governor and lawmakers to push for the program.