I’ve made no secret of being a fan of libraries. I use the Hamilton East Public Library (HEPL) branch in Fishers regularly, my wife Jane is also a frequent visitor, and my daughters grew up spending many hours there.

Libraries are supported through public tax dollars and governed by boards whose members are appointed by elected officials or public entities. The HEPL system includes the main branch in Noblesville and the Fishers branch, overseen by a seven-member board.

By law, appointments to the board are divided among several entities:

• Noblesville Schools appoints two members.

• Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools appoints one member.

• Hamilton County Council appoints two members.

• Hamilton County Commissioners appoint two members.

This arrangement was created years ago, when Noblesville Schools had a much larger enrollment than HSE. Today, HSE is one of the largest districts in Indiana, yet it still has only one appointment.

Unlike many other government appointments, the HSE Schools representative to the HEPL board is not selected by the full school board but solely by the board president.

In September 2022, then-HSE School Board President Julie Chambers appointed Andre Miksha to the HEPL board, replacing Brian Meyer, who had served from 2009 until that time. Miksha was later elected (and currently serves as) president of the library board, a sign of confidence from his fellow members.

Miksha’s current term as the HSE appointee expires at the end of August. The decision on whether to reappoint him—or select a new representative—now rests with current HSE School Board President Juanita Albright.

Anyone residing within the HSE School District may apply for the appointment through this link. Miksha has indicated he is willing to continue serving if reappointed.

Whether HSE maintains continuity with Miksha or chooses a new voice on the library board will be decided in the coming weeks and Junita Albright will make that choice.