Florida Humanities announced more than $78,750 in America 250 Book Collection Grants awarded to 121 library systems across 28 Florida counties. The funding will help libraries add nearly 4,000 new books that encourage readers to explore America’s past, present, and future as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.
Santa Rosa County received $4,500 to purchase more than 90 books for branches.
- Escambia County’s West Florida Public Library (WFPL) system received nothing.
Through Florida Humanities’ America 250 Book Collection Grants initiative, public libraries across the state are receiving funding to enhance their collections with books that explore the people, events, and ideas that have shaped the American experience. Participating libraries will also receive materials to create America 250-themed displays featuring recommended reading lists for both youth and adult audiences, helping spark meaningful community conversations around the nation’s semiquincentennial.
“Public libraries are vital spaces for democracy in our nation, providing community members of all ages with access to a wealth of knowledge,” said Florida Humanities Associate Director Patricia Putman. “Florida Humanities is thrilled to support these American institutions by providing them with the resources they need to expand and enhance their collections just in time for our nation’s semiquincentennial.”
Bell-Rivera’s Lack of Qualifications
When County Administrator Wes Moreno announced he would hire Christal Bell-Rivera as library director, WFPL Board Chair Blaine Wall warned the county commissioners that Bell-Rivera didn’t have the librarian experience for the WFPL to qualify to receive grants, unlike the Board of Governance‘s two recommendations.
“Ms. Vinson fully satisfies the educational and professional qualifications
contemplated under Florida Statute § 257.17, which governs public library operating grant eligibility,” Wall wrote. “Compliance with this statute reinforces legislative expectations that public libraries be led by qualified professional librarians and protects eligibility for state operating funds.”
County officials, including Bell-Rivera, claimed a waiver had been secured.
County Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger sent emails to her constituents telling them: “Escambia County is not at risk of losing funding. Please see asterisked information at the bottom of this email for pertinent information supporting this.”
*Pursuant to Florida Statute 257.17, the single administrative head of a public library must have at least two years of full-time professional experience following completion of a library education program accredited by the American Library Association (ALA). Importantly, the statute does not require the individual to hold the formal title of “Library Director.”
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About Florida Humanities
Florida Humanities, the statewide, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and sharing the history, literature, culture, and personal stories that offer Floridians a better understanding of themselves, their communities, and their state. Since 1973, Florida Humanities has awarded more than $16 million in support of statewide cultural resources and public programs strongly rooted in the humanities. These programs preserve Florida’s diverse history and heritage, promote civic engagement and community dialogue, and provide opportunities to reflect on the future of Florida. Learn more at www.FloridaHumanities.org.
FYI, local resident Scott Barrow serves on the Florida Humanities’ Board of Directors. The “qualification” issue is discussed on the Florida Library Association’s website in “Florida Public Library Outcomes & Standards 2015.” See page 24 in the document at the below link:
https://www.flalib.org/library-standards-and-outcomes
Re: “County officials, including Bell-Rivera, claimed a waiver had been secured.” During the BCC’s March 5th meeting I believe I hear Acting County Administrator Bowers say aloud that she had spoken with someone with the State Library of Florida and the county was granted a waiver. I don’t recall if she was referring to the prior year’s grant submission, future year’s submissions or both. Should be something easy to verify by asking the state. In addition to County Administrator Moreno having no explicit or implied authority to designate Deputy Director Bell-Rivera as the “Interim” Library Director, I have wondered who signed the grant application last year? Again, easy to find out it it was legal.
This all reeks of an intentional sabotage of the library system. What do Moreno, Hofberger, and Associates stand to gain from this?