Big changes could be in store for the Manitou Springs Public Library.A proposal to merge with the Pikes Peak Library District would give patrons access to more databases and other resources and would help sustain the small library, said Laura Ettinger, president of the Friends of the Library in Manitou Springs and spokeswoman for a task force appointed to examine the library’s future.It could mean a property tax increase for Manitou residents, and the issue likely will be decided by voters. The idea has the backing of Manitou’s City Council, and public meetings will be held through the summer to discuss it.“We realized that we had to start getting active re: (about) having the library sustainable – financially, technologically and physically, because we couldn’t expect the city to back up a different budget,” Ettinger said.She said the merger is one of five options the task force identified after it was created in October 2011, but it was the clear winner with the City Council when they presented their research.“It’s a benefit for the people and the books,” Ettinger said. “The PPLD will plan internally to move all their libraries forward. We could be a part of that and have the financial support that we need.”Manitou Springs residents can check out books at PPLD, but they can’t use the district’s databases, and interlibrary loans – which are centralized in the PPLD system – are more difficult to coordinate than they would be if Manitou was part of the district.“At MSPL (Manitou Springs Public Library), one of my part-time employees currently handles all of our (interlibrary loan) materials, whether going out or coming in, and it’s a very time-consuming part of her job. (Interlibrary loans) is one of the most expensive services a library offers,” said Margaret Morris, director of the library.Ettinger explained that the merger also would help the library provide additional services to its patrons,  particularly better technology and IT services.But one of the biggest perks that comes with the merger, she says, is the access to databases.“People have wanted community and business and online resources but have not been able to access that,” Ettinger said.The PPLD has a wide range of databases that the citizens of Manitou Springs would be able to use without having to travel into Colorado Springs as some do now, along with potential funding and support for future projects, such as a planned expansion of the library.It’s also a change that would come without costing current employees their jobs.“All staff would remain at MSPL, and salaries would be determined according to experience, job descriptions and where each person fits into the PPLD employee structure,” Morris said.The downside?“Property taxes could increase in Manitou Springs,” Ettinger said.It’s one of the issues she expects will be discussed at the community meetings over the next three months.In the meantime, the Friends will be getting out the word through social media including its Facebook group, at facebook.com/FriendsMSLibrary, and preparing to collect petition signatures to put the issue to a vote in November.“The library is one of the intellectual hearts of Manitou,” Ettinger said. “Hopefully when we kick off the community meeting, we’ll get different people to come in and discuss problems, talk about pros and cons.”—Contact Lauren Fellers: 636-0198.