County library board explains Whitefish situation

We, the members of the Flathead County Library System (FCLS) Board of Trustees, have recently come under some criticism in various letters published in area newspapers. We would like the residents of Flathead County to now hear from the board and assure you our desire for a smooth transition.

Since the Whitefish City Council voted to end the relationship with FCLS, the following activities are occurring:

Two members of the FCLS board, along with the library director and other staff have met with city of Whitefish representatives, including the mayor, the city manager, a city councilor, and a member of the new city library board on a regular basis. The purpose of the meetings was to keep each other informed of our progress as we worked along parallel lines to accomplish our individual goals. We needed to relocate the FCLS assets from their building, and they needed to establish an independent city library.

In all the discussions on this issue at the FCLS board and committee meetings, no one has recommended that everything be "stripped" from Whitefish. However, we do represent all of the 90,000-plus residents of Flathead County and have a duty to protect the FCLS assets for them as well. It should also be noted that any asset relocated out of the Whitefish building will be available to all Flathead County residents including those who live in the city of Whitefish.

The members of our committee early on suggested that some of the collection might be left for the city of Whitefish. Our committee members gave the FCLS board a discussion document to that effect and then gave it to the city of Whitefish representatives. Included in the document was the suggestion that books bearing a gift or memorial sticker be donated to the city in deference to the emotional attachment of members of the Whitefish community.

It was also suggested that books bought with a 2005 Whitefish Community Center donation to the FCLS and surviving pre-1976 consolidation books be donated to the city. The cash remainder of the Whitefish Community Center donation could also go to the city. In addition, there might be a number of other books located in the Whitefish branch that could be offered to the city of Whitefish for a nominal amount. Altogether, these books could number in the thousands.

The following is some background on the situation:

The Flathead County Library Board is made up of volunteers who have been appointed by the Flathead County Commissioners. The board of trustees is governed by Montana state statutes, which include exclusive control over the operation of the FCLS and its property. This is a responsibility we take seriously.

Under the 2001 Interlocal Agreement between the city of Whitefish and the FCLS board, the city agreed to provide and maintain the building space, and the FCLS board agreed to provide library services, including computers and materials, for the Whitefish Branch Library.

Legally, the 2001 Interlocal Agreement supersedes the previous agreements and lists, in accompanying documents, the ownership of the personal property housed at the Whitefish branch and notes that all library materials belong to the FCLS.

In October 2010, the Whitefish City Council voted to end its long relationship with the FCLS board (since 1976) by terminating the 2001 Interlocal Agreement. Prior to that decision, we had recommended to the council that they not terminate the agreement in a lengthy document which explained in detail why we thought such a decision was not in the best interests of the residents of Whitefish or the rest of the county.

How does this affect Flathead County residents?

The FCLS staff has put online the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the closure of the FCLS branch now located in Whitefish. The most important thing for the residents of the city of Whitefish to know is that their FCLS library card is now and will remain valid for transactions online, at the Main Library and at all branches. The Whitefish branch will remain open to the public until June 18. From June 18 through June 30, the FCLS staff will work to complete the process of vacating the building and meeting the July 1 deadline specified in the Interlocal Agreement with the city of Whitefish.

We will continue to meet our legal obligations to all the residents of Flathead County as well as try to resolve any disputes which remain in regard to this situation. We hold no animosity towards the city of Whitefish nor its decision to create a Whitefish city library. We remain dedicated volunteer trustees who value our Flathead County Library System and its professional, hard-working staff.

Flathead County Library System Board of Trustees, Jane Lopp, chairperson, Connie Leistiko, vice chairperson, Laura Long, Michael Morton and Elana Weaver.