Legislative Action Plan for 2012

LEGISLATIVE ACTION AGENDA - 2012

The Indiana Library Federation supports the following:

  • Continued funding for INSPIRE
  • Continued funding for public Internet access
  • Ability of public libraries to seek referenda for operating budgets
  • School llbraries and certified school librarians
  • Universal service
  • Initiatives that provide additional broadband coverage for Indiana libraries and Indiana residents
  • Legislation that would revise the price preference language so that it would not impact library projects in a negative fashion

The Indiana Library Federation will continue to monitor legislation relating to the following items which could impact libraries positively or negatively:

  • Language that would change the funds included when calculating the growth quotient for budgets
  • Potential for additional sources of revenue
  • Distribution and distribution formulas of current revenue
  • Language that would make Home Rule a possibility for libraries
  • Language that makes the review of budgets by the County Council “binding” as opposed to the current “non-binding”
  • Proposals that would include mandated 92-county library systems or mandated consolidation
  • Local government re-organization that would impact public libraries
  • All programs of the Indiana Department of Education which could affect school media centers and school librarians
  • Legislation that would impact working conditions of school librarians
  • Legislation that would impact those members who work within a union setting
  • The legislative programs of the state university libraries
  • Legislation that would convert the Public Employees Retirement Fund program to a 401(k) system.

The ILF realizes that until specific legislation is introduced to the legislature, our exact position cannot be unequivocally stated. Some items which initially might appear positive could--once the exact wording of the legislation is submitted--actually have a negative impact on libraries.

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