I often wonder if Iowa Republican legislators sit around at night, consider all social progress in society since the 17th Century, and then choose which item to next scheme to reverse. On second thought, the scheming likely comes from one of the national billionaire financed “think tanks.” I hesitate to attribute an original thought to any of the Iowa Republican legislators.
Thank you thank you thank you, Bob. I received this information from a librarian friend yesterday. I was simply aghast. Like Scott, above, I think it seems like Republicans sit rubbing their hands together, wondering what horror they might inflict upon us next.
When I was a child we had a library bookmobile come to the corner down the street. I would go with eager anticipation every week to return the books I’d read and find new ones. My children went to story hours and spent hours in libraries as they went through school. My grandchildren are doing the same. We thought libraries were permanent. Sacrosanct. The Republicans have shown us that there is NOTHING they are not willing to destroy. We need to band together. As Martin Luther King said, silence is consent.
I have made extensive use of both the Knoxville and Pella libraries and was an active participant in helping to keep the Pella library from being taken over by that crazy group. The ideas that they represent are as nonsensical as the idea that Trump represents the best interests of democracy. I am no longer able to travel freely and go the meeting you mention., However, I did speak out privately, through FB, the political sign in my front yard, and a letter to the Marion County Express . It was the first one printed in that paper and my first two affirmative responses to my opinion were from Eunice Kuiper Folkerts and the chair of the Marion County 4 H organization. It took a very long time, even for some of the frequent Pella library users who know what nonsense was being proposed. And some of them are very polite people and did not want to speak out for fear of "hurting" their uninformed friends who were supporting control of our "evil" library that was grooming their innocent children. The Pella advocacy group did not get enough votes to take over what that library can and cannot do for the next 4 years. However, we all need to pay attention as the current Iowa leaders seem bent on wrecking a lot of things.
Thanks Bob. It is not a secret that some national groups and elected officials believe libraries are storehouses for left wing propaganda. It is happening in the light of day.
Thank you for the piece, Bob, about an issue close to my heart. I'm glad you quoted Bradbury, and avoided the the term "culture war"—for we are in Fahrenheit 451 territory here, not "culture war" territory. (The NY Times employed that thoughtless catch phrase yesterday, in a badly reported piece they ran on red state attacks on libraries, which mentioned Pella.)
What I never see mentioned in reporting: claims of "porn/obscenity" is code for LGBTQ authors; and claims of content that is "unpatriotic" or "upsetting to kids" is code for books by writers of color. They're not just banning books, they're banning people.
As an addition to your Step 5 (contact your representative), may I also suggest: tell that representative you are a single-issue voter with regard to keeping libraries free and independent. (It's also safe to assume that any politician who is anti-library, will be in favor of all kinds of "crazy legislation.")
Andrew Carnegie required that each library he funded have an outdoor stairway with which to reach the front door. His philosophy is that we “ascend to knowledge, and thereby wisdom.” He would, indeed, be rolling over.
My mother was a grade-school librarian, taught 5th-grade social studies, and served on our community's public library board. Much of my love for books, literature, and learning was fostered by her as well as the librarian at our community's public library. And both influenced so many other kids as well over their careers.
Our kids were similarly influence by a couple of librarians at Lawrence's public library. All kids deserve to have access to that through their public libraries and public schools. I hope you're able to defeat this bill. I could easily see Kansas GOP legislators coming up with something similar.
I have fond memories from when I was little, rampaging (politely) through the library during the summer. The library had books for every step of my growth, be it dinosaur books or Spider-Man comics or 1800s novels. I am appalled to think of a community losing their library after all the knowledge and entertainment mine has provided me.
Our legislators have gone after the rights of my LGBTQ+ friends. They’ve gone after my female friends’ right to body autonomy. They’ve gone after my right to a good public education. They’ve gone after our collective right to vote. They can keep their filthy paws off my library.
Robert, have you seen what county supervisors are doing to library budgets in Kossuth, Woodbury, and other Iowa counties? Forget state laws. Libraries are being defunded at the local level.
I often wonder if Iowa Republican legislators sit around at night, consider all social progress in society since the 17th Century, and then choose which item to next scheme to reverse. On second thought, the scheming likely comes from one of the national billionaire financed “think tanks.” I hesitate to attribute an original thought to any of the Iowa Republican legislators.
Thank you thank you thank you, Bob. I received this information from a librarian friend yesterday. I was simply aghast. Like Scott, above, I think it seems like Republicans sit rubbing their hands together, wondering what horror they might inflict upon us next.
When I was a child we had a library bookmobile come to the corner down the street. I would go with eager anticipation every week to return the books I’d read and find new ones. My children went to story hours and spent hours in libraries as they went through school. My grandchildren are doing the same. We thought libraries were permanent. Sacrosanct. The Republicans have shown us that there is NOTHING they are not willing to destroy. We need to band together. As Martin Luther King said, silence is consent.
Thank you for your voice.
I have made extensive use of both the Knoxville and Pella libraries and was an active participant in helping to keep the Pella library from being taken over by that crazy group. The ideas that they represent are as nonsensical as the idea that Trump represents the best interests of democracy. I am no longer able to travel freely and go the meeting you mention., However, I did speak out privately, through FB, the political sign in my front yard, and a letter to the Marion County Express . It was the first one printed in that paper and my first two affirmative responses to my opinion were from Eunice Kuiper Folkerts and the chair of the Marion County 4 H organization. It took a very long time, even for some of the frequent Pella library users who know what nonsense was being proposed. And some of them are very polite people and did not want to speak out for fear of "hurting" their uninformed friends who were supporting control of our "evil" library that was grooming their innocent children. The Pella advocacy group did not get enough votes to take over what that library can and cannot do for the next 4 years. However, we all need to pay attention as the current Iowa leaders seem bent on wrecking a lot of things.
Thanks Bob. It is not a secret that some national groups and elected officials believe libraries are storehouses for left wing propaganda. It is happening in the light of day.
Last year in Iowa, Iowa Commission of Libraries loses power to select state librarian, direct funds under government reorganization bill, https://www.iowapublicradio.org/state-government-news/2023-03-20/changes-will-come-to-the-state-library-of-iowa-under-the-reorganization-bill
Georgia' s attack on American Library Association https://youtu.be/_1Ld5V1A4GE?si=0694UZ_xBYyYORmw
The rising Republican movement to defund public libraries
https://www.vox.com/politics/2023/5/5/23711417/republicans-want-to-defund-public-libraries-book-bans
Thank you for the piece, Bob, about an issue close to my heart. I'm glad you quoted Bradbury, and avoided the the term "culture war"—for we are in Fahrenheit 451 territory here, not "culture war" territory. (The NY Times employed that thoughtless catch phrase yesterday, in a badly reported piece they ran on red state attacks on libraries, which mentioned Pella.)
What I never see mentioned in reporting: claims of "porn/obscenity" is code for LGBTQ authors; and claims of content that is "unpatriotic" or "upsetting to kids" is code for books by writers of color. They're not just banning books, they're banning people.
As an addition to your Step 5 (contact your representative), may I also suggest: tell that representative you are a single-issue voter with regard to keeping libraries free and independent. (It's also safe to assume that any politician who is anti-library, will be in favor of all kinds of "crazy legislation.")
Bob,
Thank you for the information. I have contacted by Senator.
Andrew Carnegie required that each library he funded have an outdoor stairway with which to reach the front door. His philosophy is that we “ascend to knowledge, and thereby wisdom.” He would, indeed, be rolling over.
My mother was a grade-school librarian, taught 5th-grade social studies, and served on our community's public library board. Much of my love for books, literature, and learning was fostered by her as well as the librarian at our community's public library. And both influenced so many other kids as well over their careers.
Our kids were similarly influence by a couple of librarians at Lawrence's public library. All kids deserve to have access to that through their public libraries and public schools. I hope you're able to defeat this bill. I could easily see Kansas GOP legislators coming up with something similar.
Another Virginia thanks you. (I remember balancing part of my Bookmobile books on my head as I walked home with my arms full as well!!)
I have fond memories from when I was little, rampaging (politely) through the library during the summer. The library had books for every step of my growth, be it dinosaur books or Spider-Man comics or 1800s novels. I am appalled to think of a community losing their library after all the knowledge and entertainment mine has provided me.
Our legislators have gone after the rights of my LGBTQ+ friends. They’ve gone after my female friends’ right to body autonomy. They’ve gone after my right to a good public education. They’ve gone after our collective right to vote. They can keep their filthy paws off my library.
Robert, have you seen what county supervisors are doing to library budgets in Kossuth, Woodbury, and other Iowa counties? Forget state laws. Libraries are being defunded at the local level.
Ironic that the root of the word republican actually means “for the common good”. How far they have fallen from their origins.
Thank you, Bob. Libraries are so much more than books. They are the anchors of so many communities in Iowa.
I've shared this to my facebook page. It is one more example of the overreach the Republican legislators. Shameful...
Will there no longer be ANY free, safe, and friendly physical place left for Iowans to share ideas?
Just ridiculous stuff the Republicans keep throwing out there! No idea of a social compact......Thank you again for this coverage.