If the exploratory group has found that there appears to be adequate community interest and support for forming a library district, the next step is to form a working group. The working group will be that group of people who will do the work necessary to create a library district. If an existing public library is going to become part of the new district, it is essential that at least one of the five board members make a strong
commitment to the project and that no board members oppose it. This cannot be stressed strongly enough: If substantial support is not available from the existing library board, the districting project will almost certainly fail. Other community members should also be included in the working group. If there is no existing library to take the lead, the working group will probably be made up of interested community members, many of whom served in the exploratory group.
It is also essential that the library director and other staff support the project. Staff members often fear that districting may threaten their employment or their employment benefits. The working group needs to be honest with the staff on these points. In some cases, districting will have little effect on the continued employment or terms of employment of the staff. In other cases, districting may have very serious implications for the staff. This is particularly true when a city library becomes a part of a
new district or when library districts consolidate.
At this point in the project, it is too early to determine exactly how the districting process will affect staff members, but the exploratory group needs to deal with the staff in good faith. If it is anticipated that the districting process will make major changes in the conditions of employment, this needs to be stated up-front. Staff members need to be assured that their concerns will be considered as the districting process moves forward. Including staff representatives in the working group is one way to do this, but staff members who serve on this group should be asked to be open-minded about the process.
Potential working group members need to be educated about the commitment they are making, before they are asked to join the group. Since most districting projects will involve running an election, and therefore will entail a great deal of work, it is important that working group members go into the process with their eyes open. One way that this can be done is to hold a meeting with all potential members of this group. Your Idaho Commission for Libraries area field consultant should be asked to talk about the districting process and the many steps that need to be taken. It would also be valuable to have someone from a districting project from another area talk to the group. They can give your potential members a more accurate picture of the commitments that must be made for a districting project to be successful.
People should be asked to make a commitment at the end of the meeting. The formation of a good working group, which includes some of the community’s opinion leaders, is another sign that a districting project could be successful.