GA Legislature Passes Bill to Abolish, then Reform Atlanta-Fulton PL

-- Library Journal, 4/14/2004

A bill to abolish the board of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library passed last week. It had stalled in the Georgia Legislature in past years. SB 231 will abolish the library's current 17-member board of trustees and create a new board of 11 members.

The board will include seven members appointed by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners and two appointed by the City of Atlanta, plus the mayor of Atlanta and chair of the Board of Commissioners (or their designees). Except for the latter two ex officio members, no elected official may serve. This is apparently a response to the role of elected officials on the board, some of whom were seen as using their membership to direct resources toward their constituents. The new configuration also reduces the influence of the city of Atlanta on the board. The system began in Atlanta but the fastest growth in recent years has been in the suburban areas. The board has been reluctant to close some low-circulating urban branches. The county funds the library.

The bill also authorizes the County Manager (not the board) to hire and fire the library director. The library has been rocked by a reverse discrimination suit, with three board members (two since departed) and Director Mary Kaye Hooker named as defendants, which settled for $18 million. Also, a consultant hired to evaluate workplace procedures reported severe criticism of Hooker's leadership and recommended that the board stay out of most hiring decisions.

The legislation will become effective after the governor signs it, no later than the first week of May. Steve Dorvee, vice-chair of the board, told LJ, " I don't know if any old board members would be appointed to the new board. My hope is that there be some transition planning done between old and new," so both old and new members can monitor the library's response to the workplace audit and contribute to the strategic plan that is nearing completion. Dorvee noted that several current board members were appointed after the lawsuit was filed. Dorvee was unwilling to speculate about Hooker's fate. Hooker has since filed her own discrimination complaint .