18-04-2025
Legislature moves West Virginia libraries under tourism department
FAIRMONT — Republicans stripped the credential qualification previously required for the state's library director position this past legislative session.
House Bill 2009 dissolved the Department of Arts, Culture and History and moved its functions under the Department of Tourism. Libraries, which previously were under the umbrella of Arts, Culture and History moved into the Department of Tourism as well. The bill was part of a larger effort in conjunction with two other bills that reorganized the executive branch and created more cabinet secretaries who report to the governor's office.
Senate Bill 2009 didn't just move the Department of Arts, Culture and History under the Tourism Department. Sen. Bill Hamilton, R-Upshur, criticized the bill for doing away with the civil service.
The bill's lead sponsor, Del. Chris Phillips, R-Barbour, did not respond to a message by press time. Marion County Public Library System Director Larissa Cason, who also serves as the elected president of the West Virginia Library Association, said the bill originated from the governor's desk. She said Gov. Patrick Morrisey was most likely thinking in terms of synergies when putting together the bill. The fiscal note summary submitted by Krysten Wolfe states moving Arts, Culture and History under Tourism would reduce state spending by around $203,000.
House Bill 2009 also included a provision that removed a requirement that the state's library section director have a master's degree in library and information science and have at least three years of administrative experience. The new requirement simply states the library director 'shall be qualified, with relevant experience.'
'It's extraordinarily broad,' Cason said. 'It's just a further devaluing of professional expertise.'
Cason cast this choice within the broader context of what's happening to library specialists who work at the federal level. The Trump Administration and Elon Musk's DOGE recently gutted the Institute for Library and Museum Services, and put its employees on administrative leave. The agency provides funding to the nation's libraries, including those here in West Virginia. IMLS provided $1.6 million in funding to West Virginia public libraries.
The American Library Association and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court on April 7 demanding the Trump Administration stop dismantling the IMLS.
With the removal of professional library leadership at the federal level, Cason said the potential exists that there won't be any guidance at the state level either.
'Managing a large and diverse library system requires leadership skills and practical experience in budgeting, staffing, policy development and collaboration with local libraries and community organizations,' the West Virginia Library Association said in a statement. 'The library section director is tasked with navigating complex decisions that impact libraries across West Virginia, advocating for resources and ensuring that library services are equitable and accessible for all.'
Sen. Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson, argued by removing the credential requirement, it gives the executive branch more leeway to find what she vaguely referred to as the 'best individual' for the job. She said the current requirements exceed the requirements sought by the Library of Congress. She cited US Code that addresses pay rates for the Librarian of Congress and their deputy, but does not appear to deal with credential requirements.
'As the Senator said, we have many librarians to fulfill this position, but this just doesn't make it where we're excluding a highly qualified and excellent individual who can do a good job in the position,' Rucker said during the Senate floor hearing.
State Sen. Joey Garcia, D-Marion, attempted filing an amendment to restore the credential requirements. Garcia said the library section director serves over 70 libraries in the state. He argued there are many online degree options that fulfill the existing educational requirements to ensure the qualification is attainable. Garcia said a lot of people who reached out to his office about the bill said it was about respect.
'I don't think these requirement are that much to ask for somebody,' Garcia said during the bill's floor hearing. 'I think they're bare minimum. But, I also think — just the message that this sends. It just makes sense to have a librarian running or advocating for our libraries in West Virginia.'
