Eudora Public Library board members are considering pursuing a library district and breaking from Eudora Township, through which they now operate.
"It may be time to look at our options," said Bickell Lund, library board president.
Eugene Westerhouse, township trustee, isn't objecting to the idea.
"I think it ceased to be a township library," Westerhouse said.
Officials from the library and township were at odds recently over next year's library budget.
The township board trimmed a library budget of $68,250 to $60,000 before approving the township budget for next year. The library had a budget of $56,988 this year.
Follow-up legal research showed the library board controls its own budget. The township simply distributes the funds.
The revised library budget forced the township to break state budget limits, republish its budget and hold another public hearing.
The hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Eudora Township Fire Station, 310 E. 20th in Eudora.
The library board met Wednesday night and has scheduled a planning meeting for 6:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Eudora Library, 114 E. Ninth St. in Eudora.
The process of becoming a district is somewhat complicated, said Roy Bird, public library consultant for the Kansas State Library.
A petition would be needed to have the idea put before voters, he said.
If voters approved the district, its seven-member board would be elected rather than appointed by the township board, Bird said.
Lund said library officials would pursue the district if it would benefit the growing library.
"We're trying to figure out ... what the needs are and if these needs have changed," she said.
-- Kendrick Blackwood's phone message number is 832-7221. His e-mail address is kblackwood@ljworld.com.
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