MERRILLVILLE | Cecelia Wooden is traveling the state to learn what library patrons think about consolidation.

The host of library staffers and patrons gathered at the Lake County Library on Thursday to express their views were less than pleased at the prospect of change in their library system.

Officials from the Lowell Public Library and Chesterton Public Library have been in the forefront of opposition to the idea of consolidation, which was generated from Indiana's Good Government Initiative recommendations. Wooden said she already has met with Lowell Library Director Sandy Morgan.

On Thursday, representatives from libraries as diverse as the New Carlisle - Olive Township Public Library and the Hammond Public Library voiced their opinions as Wooden, a consultant who will make recommendations to the governor's office, facilitated a brainstorming session.

"This is what it boils down to: Big and small, libraries are responsible to serve the needs of the people," Linda Steinberg, a Lowell Public Library patron, said.

Wooden said library boards are charged with two duties, fiduciary responsibility and responsiveness to public needs.

Their unique needs, however, do not make collaboration and partnerships with civic groups, schools and other organizations impossible, Wooden said.

Morgan has warned that the Shelby and Schneider branches of the Lowell main library will be at risk with consolidation.

"What's to say that our recommendation to the governor will not be total state broadband access. We did it in Kentucky," Wooden said.