County library board is in state compliance

There was more attendance than usual at the Moniteau County Library Board January meeting. The board met at the Wood Place facility in California, Thursday, Jan. 15. Tipton's Price James Library was a major part of the discussion.

The Moniteau County Library Board is now in compliance with Section 182.015 of the Revised Missouri Statutes, according to County Library Director Connie Walker. That is the part of the statutes which directs forming county libraries. Prior to the establishment of a Moniteau County Library by the donation of California's Wood Place Library, including building, furnishings, collections and operating checking accounts, valued at $1.8 million, the county was not in compliance with the state statutes. According to Walker, of the counties with a county library district, Moniteau County was the last to set up a county library.

Before the donation of the Wood Place Library to the county library board, the board contracted with two private libraries to provide services to residents of the county. Each library owned its own building, books and other materials. With the transfer of the assets of the Wood Place Library, there is now a county library. Walker explained that by state statutes, there can only be one county library. The board can, however, contract with other libraries.

For 2014, the contract offered was accepted by the Price James Library. Under provisions of the contract, the funds will be disbursed quarterly. Previously, the funds were received by the Price James Library in a lump sum.

According to Walker, a contract has been offered twice for 2015 for Price James Library, but has been turned down by the Tipton City Council, which oversees the library. The Price James Library Board is reported to be an advisory board to the city council on library matters.

The two groups in attendance at the Thursday meeting were unable to find common ground for a satisfactory resolution to the disagreement, which involved funding. There is also the question of whether the Price James Library is eligible for state aid to libraries. The question of state aid is a "complex issue with no easy resolution."

The County Library Board approved a six-month contract with Price James Library to run from Jan. 1 to June 30 for $28,000, while additional information is sought through necessary research to resolve the issues. According to Walker, the proposed contract will have to go before the Tipton City Council for approval.

Moniteau County Library Board members are President Marian Gish, Vice President Peggy Basinger, Secretary Sara Rohrbach, Treasurer Lee Longan member Ashli Wood.