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KAYSVILLE, Utah (AP) -- In a 3-2 vote, the Kaysville City Council has agreed to merge the city's 83-year-old library into the Davis County library system.
Officials hope to complete the merger by next July, the beginning of the next fiscal year. County commissioners still must approve the agreement.
The county library board has reviewed the agreement and recommended it to the commission for approval, said County Library Director Pete Giacoma.
The City Council vote came after an hour of discussion Tuesday.
The audience was as split as the council. About half the 125-member audience held small blue signs that said "Vote to save our library" and "Maintain our independence."
Councilman Gil Miller, who cast the deciding vote, said, "For those holding signs that say 'Save our library,' if you don't think that is what all five of us are trying to do, you are sorely mistaken. There is just disagreement on which way the library needs to be saved."
Councilmen Casey Hill and Christopher Snell also voted to merge the library.
Snell said joining the county system was the only solution left for the too-small library after failed attempts to raise funds privately and a failed bond election in November.
"We have given the library multiple chances," he said. "I don't support going back (with another bond vote) as many times as necessary until you get the answer you're looking for."
Council members Neka Roundy and John McCleary voted against the agreement.
City Library Director Paul Stokes said there is still much work ahead before the merger is completed next year.
Keeping his employees motivated and coming to work will be his biggest challenge, he said. City employees are not guaranteed positions at the library when the county takes control. They must compete with current county employees and other outside candidates for the jobs.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
