Katie Hansen
I vehemently oppose HF 284 and ask our legislators to withdraw this bill from consideration. As a current Master of Library and Information Science student MLIS at the University of Iowa, I have benefited greatly from being a part of both the American Library Association and the Iowa Library Association. This past fall the Iowa Library Association ILA hosted Iowa legislators from both parties to share their views on vantage points on this year's local legislation. The ILA serves to help Iowa's librarians work together with legislators to make our state libraries the most effective and informative institutions they can be. Additionally, it is because of the American Library Association that I have been able to learn about community engagement work, entrepreneurial cultivation, and afterschool programming, all for rural public libraries. Without these peerlead organizations, Iowa's public libraries would lose two incredibly valuable resources that allow librarians to continually learn how to best serve their patrons. If this bill is approved, it also runs the risk of setting a dangerous precedent for other industry organizations. If the libraries of Iowa have their membership in state and national associations revoked, what barrier is there to stop the same thing from happening to the state's medical, financial, and political affiliations? Sincerely, Katie Hansen
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