Investment in Public Libraries, Books, go to Governor’s Desk

OKLAHOMA CITY — Legislation that puts money back into Oklahoma’s city-county public libraries passed the House on Wednesday.

Senate Bill 265, authored by Rep. Monroe Nichols, D-Tulsa and Sen. Kevin Matthews, D-Tulsa, provides a sales tax exemption for sales of tangible personal property or services to any city-county library system. The legislation will ensure city-county libraries can invest in infrastructure and save taxpayer money.

“Thousands of Oklahomans lean on our library system with needs ranging from filing unemployment claims to accessing academic enrichment resources for children,” Nichols said. “What we are doing is providing support so libraries can continue to invest in their infrastructure to meet the needs of their community. I was proud to work with Senator Matthews on this bill and thankful to have my colleague Representative Waldon join as a co-author in the House.”

Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa, is a former educator who has seen the value of public libraries firsthand and understands their importance to Oklahoma communities.

“Our city-county libraries are essential community institutions, as the pandemic has shown,” Waldron said. “Librarians have worked heroically to meet the needs of citizens, maintaining access to books, wifi and other essential community resources. This bill will help our city-county libraries do even more to serve Oklahoma in the future.”

SB265 is now eligible to be signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt.