On Tuesday, June 4, Baldwin County Commission announced it has received an intergovernmental agreement for a public library system to provide shared services in the county.

This agreement establishes a library system for Baldwin County to be called Baldwin County Public Library System (BCPLS). This is not a public library itself, but it presents the framework for written contracts regarding shared library services to the participating municipal boards within the county. Included in the shared services, according to the agreement, is courier service of shared collections and materials to all member libraries; coordination of inter-library loan (ILL) services on behalf of member libraries; management of the Baldwin County Integrated Management System; and service as the centralized site for the Baldwin County Integrated Management System / Integrated Library System.

"(Member libraries) must be eligible to receive state aid and will proportionally share in the state aid allocation from the Alabama Public Library Service to Baldwin County ('state aid allocation') based upon their respective municipal population according to the most recent decennial census of the United States Census Bureau," the agreement outlines. "In order to receive its portion of the state aid allocation, each member library must execute this agreement and become a member library; meet the requirements set forth in Chapter 520-2-2 of the Alabama Administrative Code and allow utilization of library services by all citizens of Baldwin County."

This development comes roughly two weeks after a separate board that oversees the Baldwin County Library Cooperative surprisingly terminated its entire BCLC staff, a decision the commission clarifies was not within its control.

"The Baldwin County commissioners have taken absolutely no action to discontinue any support to the library cooperative," said Taylor Bufkin, public information and communication specialist with Baldwin County Commission.

Municipal public libraries are not required to participate in the BCPLS libraries; however, libraries that choose otherwise will be unable to use the shared services provided by BCPLS, meant to enhance resources for the benefit of Baldwin County residents. Member libraries can request assistance from the county grants department with library and library system grants, though requests must be approved by county administrators and are subject to availability.

This agreement with the commission is stated to remain in force and effect through the end of the current fiscal year (Sept. 30). Additionally, Gulf Coast Media has inquired about any remaining service disruption in need of resolution as a result of the BCLC staff's termination and awaits clarification.