Librarians seek more funds to serve their communities, but some West Virginia lawmakers want them to serve time

Feb. 5—ansted — Rene Nickell has read hundreds of the books on the shelves surrounding her in the tiny, octagon-shaped library she runs in Ansted.

"I use the library," Nickell said. "I'm borrowing books all the time. I honestly couldn't afford to go out and buy all the books that I want to read."

The Ansted library has been a fixture of the community for nearly half a century, and Nickell says it can sometimes fade into the background and people don't notice its services.

But for some community members, it's a crucial meeting place where they can access the Internet they lack at home, do homework and socialize or relax. Here, Nickell shows patrons, many of whom are low-income, how to craft with cheap supplies, and cook meals with only a few ingredients.

And then, there are the books.

"Always my hope is when they come in, they'll see books," she said. "With books, even if you don't travel, you still can travel in a different way."

But in libraries across the state, there are unmet needs. Some librarians said they'd like to offer more activities like bringing bookmobiles to seniors and kids and running more after-school programs. Others want to extend their hours, or raise pay for clerks who make barely above minimum wage.

This year, West Virginia's 171 public libraries are asking lawmakers to increase their state funding. State libraries currently receive about $9.5 million per year for expenses like utilities, programming and staffing: about $10 for each registered borrower in the state. This year, they're asking for a $2 million increase. They're also asking for $5 million in one-time funding for repairs and renovations.

It's too early to know if they'll get it. Members of the Legislature's finance committees have been tight-lipped about what services they anticipate funding this year. But in the House Judiciary Committee, Chair Tom Fast, R-Fayette, has indicated at least some interest in another-library related bill by hosting a public hearing on it last month.

That bill would allow for the prosecution of any adult, including librarians and teachers, who displays "obscene matter" to minors. Those who distributed "obscene" books could be sent to jail for up to five years.

West Virginia's state code defines "obscene matter" as material meant to be offensive, intended to be sexually suggestive and lacking artistic, political or scientific value.

The bill is sponsored by Del. Brandon Steele, R-Raleigh, who told MetroNews he doesn't want people reading "erotica" to kids. Fast declined an interview, but said through a spokesperson that he will continue discussing the bill with delegates to assess the demand before he puts it on his committee's agenda.

But many librarians are worried they'll be forced to determine which books the average community member would deem "obscene" — and risk criminal prosecution if they're wrong.

Megan Tarbett is the chair of the West Virginia Library Association and also the director of the Putnam County Library. She said libraries already consider community standards, and patrons already let library employees know if they have concerns with certain books.

Libraries have their own processes for determining if a book should be removed. At the same time, those library officials know their community best, not any entity representing them, like the West Virginia Library Commission, she said. Or any overseeing body like the Legislature.

So while Tarbett orders books for other branches, she doesn't turn down requests when librarians ask to order certain books.

"The people's university reflects the community," she said, referring to public libraries.

But there are more pressing issues for the state's libraries. In Summers County, none of the schools have libraries, so the library sends bookmobiles to schools instead.

And the Hinton branch's roof and gutter repairs recently cost upwards of $20,000 and the leaking caused window cracks that let in cold wind. A volunteer in his 70s has been replacing the windows but took a break when the weather turned colder.

The donated building, a former bank, needs frequent repairs, and is dim inside due to limited lighting.

Kris Kellan, library director, said she would use a funding increase to install new lighting.

"Even kids complain about how difficult it is to see and hear," she said.

In White Sulphur Springs, library director Joann Hartzell said she'd like to expand the library hours later than 6 p.m. to accommodate workers at the Greenbrier, which is about a five-minute walk away and owned by Gov. Jim Justice.

She said the library has closed before many of those workers, like the gardeners, cleaners and retail staff, are done with work. Many of the resort's employees are from other countries and seem surprised that they can just relax or read at the library and don't have to buy anything to do so.

Back in Fayette County, library director Becky Kellum said if the bill becomes law, it could also deter people from working in libraries — as well as public schools, because teachers could be prosecuted under the proposal, too.

"I think it will hurt the state of West Virginia more than help it," she said.

For now, those who do pursue the work say they love their jobs.

Earlier this week at the Fayetteville library, just around the corner from Del. Fast's law office, Judy Kincaid, a volunteer of 13 years and former schoolteacher, helped a young girl with a craft. Kincaid started volunteering after being diagnosed with cancer, searching for a way to keep her thoughts on others instead of herself.

"It's good for the kids," she whispered. " and it really saved my life."

During storytime, library clerk Amy Jackson Lowers read a book about dinosaurs to three kids. Then she led them in a "dinosaur march," during which they got to practice their roars. She wasn't even on the clock — she was there as a volunteer.

"I'm just here because I want to make sure that storytime is happening," she said.

This story was originally published by Mountain State Spotlight. Get stories like this delivered to your email inbox once a week; sign up for the free newsletter at mountainstatespotlight.org/newsletter