Escambia Moves Forward With Library System Changes

January 23, 2013

The Escambia County Commission moved forward Tuesday with unanimous approval for big changes to the West Florida Library System.

The City of Pensacola and Escambia County currently share the library system financially, with the city managing the system. By October, the library system will come under the governance of a five-member board that ultimately answers to the Escambia County Commission.

“This is truly a wonderful day,” said Bette Hooton, president of the Library Board of Trustees, said Tuesday. “I, in the last so many years, have worked very hard for this, as has my library boards all through the years.”

The commission will appoint three members to the five member board. One member will be appointed by Pensacola’s may0r, and one will be appointed by the Pensacola council.  Both the city and county will accept resumes from individuals that wish to serve on the board.

The library system’s employees are currently employed by the city. They will be transitioned into employment by the county. Employees will be moved from the city’s pension plan to the Florida Retirement system.

The Pensacola City Council must also approve the library transition plan before it becomes final.

NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

3 Responses to “Escambia Moves Forward With Library System Changes”

  1. Trish on January 23rd, 2013 11:11 am

    Yes Jane there have been problems here and there with the City of Pensacola, but there has always been a clash between the City and the County. There are many many employees of the library system (yes city employees) that have worked extremely hard in support of the Century and the Molino libraries. They have worked hand in hand with Century giving support whenever it was needed. We the public don’t really know how or why some decisions are made but we are quick to criticise. So please remember that while we district 5 people feel neglected by Administrators, County and City, there are a lot of good hard working employees who are behind the scene doing what they can to help us. Those wonderful people are never given credit for what they do to help us.

  2. frank on January 23rd, 2013 10:18 am

    SO, where and why does Centry NOT get a rep on this board..???

  3. Jane on January 23rd, 2013 7:13 am

    Let us hope this will work well for the new Molino library and the Century library. It has to be better than having Pensacola in charge!