Senate plan leaves library open for now

Budget bill requires study that could lead to library's closure

PATRICK CONDON, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Wednesday, March 13, 2002

OLYMPIA -- Officials at the State Library breathed a tentative sigh of relief last week.

The Senate Democratic budget left the State Library open -- despite Gov. Gary Locke's earlier proposal that it be closed.

That relief changed quickly when library officials discovered that the budget, passed Saturday in the Senate, requires a study that could lead to the library's closure within two years.

"We're not out of the woods," State Librarian Nancy Zussy said Tuesday.

The study would be conducted by the Institute for Public Policy at The Evergreen State College.

"The Institute shall ... develop an implementation plan for closure of the State Library for the Legislature and Office of Financial Management to consider," the bill's language reads. "The plan shall include necessary steps to be taken and estimated time for accomplishing them."

Zussy said she's nervous because the Institute created another policy two years ago that stated that it would be feasible to move the library out of its Capitol Campus location.

"Studies can be made to say anything," Zussy said.

Sen. Karen Fraser, D-Thurston County, worked to soften the language in the budget bill.

Fraser said she wants to make sure that the library's closure isn't a foregone conclusion.

"My opinion is, we shouldn't make the decision before we do the study," said Fraser, who supports the continued survival of the library in some form.

While Zussy said she appreciates Fraser's efforts, she'd prefer that no study take place at all.

Zussy supports a House proposal that would shift the library under the supervision of the Secretary of State's Office and leave it open for good.

Not a done deal

However, the fate of the House proposal is up in the air as well.

The bill is awaiting a decision by the Rules Committee, which schedules legislation for floor action. It's of some urgency, as the regular legislative session finishes at the end of the day Thursday.

"To be honest, I don't know what's going on with it," said Rep. Sandra Romero, D-Olympia, a supporter of keeping the library open. "It's been very frustrating, because I can't even figure out who's making the decision on this."

Also of concern is the House proposal to pay for the shift to the Secretary of State's Office with a special contingency fund that would be controlled by Locke -- who proposed closing the library in the first place.

"I think there's some discomfort all over the place about that," Zussy said. "It puts it squarely back in Gary Locke's lap."

Patrick Condon covers state government for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-753-1688 or at pcondon@olympia.gannett. com.

On the Web:

- Washington State Legislature

- Washington State Treasurer

- Gov. Gary Locke

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