Dr. Khalid Mumin is the Acting Secretary of Education. Here are some of the comments and questions his team received:
Rep. Louis Schmitt, Jr. questioned how the Public Library Facilities Improvement Fund would work. PDE staff are working on it and do not believe it needs to be a legislatively governed grant program. Rep. Seth Grove followed up later with a question about if the funding is intended to be one-time; PDE responded that is intended to be long-term, sustainable funding.
Rep. Steven Malagari gave a plug for libraries as community centers, where a lot of learning happens.
Rep. Joe Webster recognized the lives changed by libraries and spoke with pride about the $11 mil increase last year; questioned what PDE was doing to promote libraries and education. Dr. Mumin responded that their focus was on technology and infrastructure and highlight the importance of trained professionals.
Rep. Jim Struzzi – asked about how broadband access and libraries and why that need is not addressed; PDE did not answer. He also asked that the convoluted funding formula be looked at, particularly for rural areas. (Note: Rep Struzzi is on the Indiana Free Library Board)
Rep. Thomas Kutz questioned the elimination of several STEM initiatives; Dr. Mumin responded that he was more interested in STEM as an integrated Career/Technical education initiative, not as a standalone.
Sen. Linda Culver – questioned how the $11 mil. increase last year actually helped public libraries and wanted PDE to promote public libraries through schools.
Our Analysis and What You Can Do
There were several trends in the questioning regarding all of PDE’s spending to pay attention to:
Accountability: Is the money being allocated equitably and following set guidance?
Outcomes: Is more money actually doing more good?
Data: Do we have the right data to make the best decisions? Should money be given to entities not willing to fulfill mandates or provide data?
High emphasis on technology and workforce preparation/development
What you can do:
Tell your representatives and senators how much last year’s increase in state aid helped your community. What did you do with it? What benefits did your community see?
Respond to any of the data collection requests from the Office of Commonwealth Libraries or other state and municipal offices. These usually come to the Directors, but there are some that ask for broader community input.
What you should not do:
Ask for less accountability. The standards may not work for your library or community at this time, but the conversation should be on what indicates quality library service. Frame the conversation to share how your library’s services align with what their constituents need.
Have no stories or data to explain how amazing your library is!