 |
| Campbell Co. Public Library, Phillip N. Carrico Branch, Fort Thomas (photo via CityBeat) |
Our friends over at River City News reported this morning that NKY Forum will open this year’s docket with a discussion of public libraries, an already contentious topic across the region.
This discussion will come hot on the heels of a recent court case in Campbell County (and similar cases in Boone and Kenton Counties), which ruled that the Campbell County Public Library has been illegally obtaining tax revenue for the last thirty years.
The panel — which will consist of the two attorneys involved in the recent lawsuit, Jeff Mando and Brandon Voelker, as well as other regional library administrators and community leaders — will discuss where public libraries fit into the digital age of the 21st century, as digital and online resources replace some of our traditional reliance on books found on bookshelves. Can a library be replaced by a smartphone? What kind of services should a 21st century public library offer?
The goal of the discussion will be to generate answers to these questions within a public forum.
A crucial point of discussion no doubt will revolve around strategies for funding public libraries.
Have an opinion on this matter? Here’s how you can participate:
Take NKY Forum’s short online survey.
Attend NKY Forum’s discussion:
When: Wednesday, Sept. 11, 5:30-7:30 PM
Where: Fiscal Court Chambers, Campbell Co. Courthouse, 1098 Monmouth St.
This forum is free and open to the public.