Library ballot question is troubling

I’m concerned about a recent Downers Grove Village Council agenda item regarding placing an advisory referendum question on the April ballot asking whether the library should become an independent unit of government, separate from the village.

The agenda item was not only a surprise — to library staff and trustees, several council members and the community — it’s also pointless and presumptuous on the part of the village council, who has no authority to act on the issue.

If the village and library want to consider operating separately, the procedure to move forward must be initiated by the library board or by petition (from 10% of voters). Not the village council. Instead, the village council is inexplicably rushing to place a purposeless question on the ballot of a low-turnout election while skirting any accountability. Mayor Barnett feels “no particular obligation” to educate voters. It seems all responsibility — from educating voters to responding to results — is placed squarely on the library, who did not request this.

On Dec. 3, the village council will vote on whether to include this now stripped-down question, devoid of any context to the ballot: “Shall the Downers Grove Public Library Board be elected, rather than appointed?” Omitted is that an additional government body, costing taxpayers significantly more money, would be created first.

Until recently, the village council used an incorrect process for appointing trustees (mayor-led vs. full council). Three recent appointments, utilizing the correct collaborative process, have gone smoothly.

Only two Downers Grove library trustees have ever been removed. Both were seated using the incorrect process. Both displayed open disdain for the institution they served. And both were appointed by members currently serving on the village council, who remain indignant at being held accountable. I’m not surprised that rather than hold themselves accountable to their constituents, they prefer to dictate when and how the library should be accountable to theirs.

Jill Bartelmey

Downers Grove