[Libs-Or] Florida library beats bush

[Wyma Rogers]

House votes to keep library in Tallahassee
By Bob Mahlburg
Tallahassee Bureau

April 5, 2003

TALLAHASSEE · After months of controversy that included thousands of
e-mails, petition signatures and hundreds of picketers at the State Capitol,
the Florida House voted Friday to ditch Gov. Jeb Bush's plan to give the
biggest collection at the century-old State Library to Nova Southeastern
University.
The House voted $2 million to restore jobs and other cuts and keep the
library's circulating collection in Tallahassee. The Senate had already put
funding in its budget, and House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, R-Plant City,
expressed confidence that the matter is settled, saying, "I would think it
would not come back as an issue."
Bush proposed giving the collection of 600,000 books, videos and other items
to the private university in Broward County and paying the school $5
million. Bush and Secretary of State Glenda Hood said that would let more
people use the items and save the state $10.2 million over four years,
mostly by cutting jobs.
But critics said savings would be a drop in the bucket for the state's $52
billion-plus budget, and opposed giving away the $10 million taxpayer-bought
collection to a private library. The specialized collection is used by state
government, researchers and others.
Jenny Nash, a spokeswoman for Hood, said the vote puts an end to the fight.
"My understanding is it would keep the library collection in Tallahassee,"
Nash said. "We will make the best of that."
The library's former head, Barratt Wilkins, said he was
"ecstatic" about the
vote.

"It's very gratifying," said Wilkins, who left in November in protest of
planned library cuts. "I told some folks I think I'll be more valuable in
retirement, and I think it makes it all worthwhile."
The GOP-controlled House had voted to rejected several amendments to restore
State Library funding. But Jody Fitzgerald, lobbyist for the Florida Library
Association, said a push by Rep. Bev Kilmer, R-Marianna, backed by Byrd
helped turn the tide.
Bob Mahlburg can be reached at bmahlburg@
orlandosentinel.com or
850-222-5564.


Copyright (c) 2003, South Florida Sun-Sentinel





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