During its regular meeting, the Baldwin County Commission voted Tuesday to dissolve the Baldwin County Library Cooperative (BCLC).
According to public records, the commission determined the cooperative had been operating illegally as a non-profit for 24 years. Upon discovering the issue in 2023, the commission attempted reorganizing the cooperative. Before making decisions, the BCLC board terminated all employees in May.
Commission staff, the county attorney and the county administrator will now work to develop a new partnership between all 13 municipal libraries in the county.
SEE RELATED STORY: Baldwin County Commission to consider dissolving library cooperative board
The resolution passed Tuesday is part of an intergovernmental agreement that transfers all assets of the library cooperative to the commission and all contractual agreements from the cooperative to the county.
The goal is to restore shared resources, including an online catalog and courier services.
The Foley City Library was a major partner of the BLBC. Mayor Ralph Hellmich told 1819 News that two issues impacting the city's library are already being addressed.
"The only two issues affecting all city libraries is the continuation of the internet library courier service," Hellmich said. "The second is the catalog, which helps track all books at all libraries."
"It is my understanding the county is working with all city libraries to continue both," he continued. "We are optimistic there will be no disruption at the city level."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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