Those evil libraries
…and other lies
A hot-button issue in this current legislative session that apparently will not move forward is one I didn’t see coming on the Bingo Card of dastardly deeds that could be promulgated by some legislators in this session. So, we are going to discuss this during our Monday Zoom lunch session today, starting at noon central time, with Sam Helmick:
Sam Helmick is an emerging leader who is the Community and Access Services Coordinator for the Iowa City Public Library in Iowa.
According to the Iowa Library Association, this is a summary of what the bill intended to do:
The bill allows the removal of appointed library boards and shifts all policy-making, collection development, and operational control to city councils with only council approval.
With no additional resources, this bill forces city workers to take on additional policy reviews, legal liabilities, complex First Amendment procedures, and mandatory training to receive state and federal funding.
It removes the people’s enhanced oversight, transparency, and liability of their public libraries by removing volunteer Iowans from the process.
It removes the power of the people and places it directly into the hands of municipal staff and city councils.
Photo by Jaredd Craig on Unsplash
Roundup
Hey, did you see the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Roundup yesterday? If you are interested in politics, sports, features, humor, and poignant reflections from around the state, take a look. Subscribe (it’s free).
Okoboji
110 spots are remaining for the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat, 15 of which are available for full and partial scholarships. Each year this event has sold out, so if you want to come, please enroll. Your fee is refundable until September 1.
https://okobojiwritersretreat.com
This event is seriously fun.
Thanks to paid subscribers to this Potluck column for funding the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat scholarship fund. I will be listing new paid subscribers in the next column. If you prefer not to be listed, email me: juliegammack@mac.com.
Aso: The last Friday of the month is set aside for members of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative to gather via Zoom for what we call The Office Lounge. Paid subscribers of any of our members are welcome on the call. You’ll meet a number of our writers, and be able to ask questions, suggest story ideas, and be a part of our engaged community.
I’ll send a Zoom link out on the morning of Friday, February 23. Start time: noon central time.
Although these bills are dead in theory, language about libraries could be added to another bill later as an amendment. The property tax bill that passed last year affected the library levy, for instance.
Julie, I watched a short documentary that is a nominee for an Academy Award: The ABCs of Book Banning. Libraries continue to be a battleground in the culture wars.