R-0801-86 RESOLUTION NO : 801-86
RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE
REQUESTING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO ENACT LEGISLATION
TO PROVIDE FOR ACCESS BY INDEPENDENT FREE PUBLIC LIBRARIES
TO STATE LIBRARY GRANT FUNDING SOURCES.
WHEREAS, the present provisions of Chapter 257, Florida Statutes
do not provide for access by local independent free public libraries to
State Library operating grants and instead solely assist County designated
single administrative units and cities of 200,000 or more population; and
WHEREAS, the Brockway Memorial Library is an independent facility
supported by the Miami Shores Village, which provides free public library
services to persons residing within the Village and also provides certain
services to persons residing outside of the Village, and
WHEREAS, the Brockway Memorial Library meets public library service
needs which are not directly met by Dade County, yet is denied access to
State funded sources of library operating grants, and
WHEREAS, the existing situation under Chapter 257 is threatened
to be yet worsened by Bill No. 251-161-2-6 proposed by Representative Bell ,
which would enact a 2% tax on the initial sale of written materials and
certain audio tapes to produce grant fund revenues for distribution to
County designated library systems, while denying access to such revenues by
independent libraries, and in fact even imposes the 2% tax on books purchased
by libraries; and
WHEREAS, the amendment proposed by Bill No. 251-161-2-6 imposes
new inequities upon independent libraries; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to provide independent libraries fair and
reasonable access to the State funding sources provided for County library
systems, either by direct grants to independent libraries or via a right to
join in County applications for such State grants or a right to enter into
interlocal agreements with such County systems, so as to fairly share the
State grant proceeds.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE:
Section 1. That the State Legislature is hereby requested to amend
Chapter 257, Florida statutes, to provide for publicly funded independent
libraries, such as the Brockway Memorial Library, to have access to library
funding sources provided by the State to County designated library systems.
Section 2. That the State Legislature create new State funding
sources to assist independent libraries to continue to provide vital public
library service.
Section 3. That the Legislature recognize the important roll played
by independent libraries and declare a policy to promote, assist and facilitate
the growth of independent libraries, rather than to ignore or attempt to destroy
said libraries.
Section 4. That the Legislature declare the policy of the State
to be to encourage the establishment and development of free public library
services throughout the State by providing grants to Cities, Districts, and
Counties that maintain free public libraries and that such grants not be
limited solely to County designated exclusive library units.
Section 5. That the Legislature provide that the sale of materials
to free public libraries, whether independent or County designated, be exempt
from any new privilege tax on such sale.
Section 6. That a copy hereof shall be provided to the Dade County
Legislative Delegation, the State Librarian, and to the Secretary of State.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by a 5/0 vote of the Miami Shores Village
Council , this 1st day of April 1986.
Karen Kirby
Mayor
ATTEST: L.R. Forney, Jr.
Village Clerk