Mickey Prim, Tuesday January 6th, 2009

Mickey Prim, Administrator for the Panhandle Public Library Cooperative System spoke about the state of the regional library system and increasing funding challenges.

Prim, originally from Northwest Florida, graduated from Troy State and returned to this area after a 23 year Marine Corps career and after securing a Masters Degree from the University of Alabama.

Founded in 1992, the Panhandle Public Library Cooperative System (the acronym for which is ‘PLICS’) is state-funded and oversees library operations in Washington, Jackson, Holmes and Calhoun counties.  Servicing in excess of 106,000 people in this four county area, PLICS directors are appointed by the County Commission in the member counties.

Although Florida does not mandate there be public libraries, there are regional libraries in each county, with each library autonomous insofar as operating procedures, hours of operation, etc.  PLICS provides help with budgetary issues faced by these facilities, and acts as an arbitrator in issues with the State of Florida.

Facing a potential 30% cut in overall funding for the three year period 2008-2010, Prim, accompanied by Linda Norton, Director of the Washington County Public Library, warned that regional libraries will be forced to cut hours of operation as well as staff in upcoming months.  Prim pointed out that the last round of budget cuts prevented the purchase of around 400 books in the local library systems.

Asking the question ‘How important is the public library system to you’?, Prim pointed out that recent economic challenges, including unemployment, have caused increased activity in public libraries, mainly for internet access and lifelong learning, some of which online equipment can qualify for up to eighty percent federal funding.

The Washington County Library is open until 6PM Monday through Friday.  For more information about PLICS, contact Mickey Prim at 850-482-9296.  Prim also invited the public to attend the monthly meetings of the Panhandle Public Library Cooperative System, held the third Tuesday of each month in Marianna.