Meeting Public Comments

Laura Thomas [Fort Atkinson Public Library]

Myself and my board are opposed to this bill. It limits the rights of voters to choose their library board, and the board to choose their library director. It removes the people's enhanced oversight, transparency, and liability of their public libraries by removing volunteer Iowans from the process. It also places the onus on the city, who's workers are not trained in the same way as library workers, and with no additional funding or training. This bill is limiting the rights of both the library and the voters.

Cara Stone []

Im writing as a resident of Ames, IA (and lifelong Iowan having been born and raised in Boone, IA and attended college in Decorah, IA) in opposition of SSB 3168 which impacts Iowa's public libraries. Local library boards are best positioned to oversee funds, collections, and programs judiciously, ensuring libraries are able to use the resources to serve the children, families, and other members of their communities. Libraries are integral to community literacy programs, serving homeschooling families, bridging the summer gap for public school students with summer reading programs, helping citizens seek out and attain employment, and helping communities come together for book clubs and other activities. Library board oversight is essential and board members are trained, trusted, and equipped to oversee these programs and judiciously allocate library funding. Please stop SSB 3168.

Rebekah Hosford []

I vehemently oppose SSB 3168. Do not take away the autonomy of the Library Board. This legislation takes away the power of the public library board to oversee the library without political interference. I thought we had made our opinion clear about how harmful the proposed ideas in this legislation would be when we spoke out against SSB 3131. SSB 3168, SSB 3166, and HSB 678 all say essentially the same thing as SSB 3131. Putting these abhorrent ideas into separate bills do not make them any more palatable. Go visit your local library. See the good and value they bring to the community. Talk to the patrons. Talk to the library workers. Then vote NO on this ridiculous piece of legislation.

Kay Elsbernd [Ossian Public Library]

I oppose this bill. This bill limits the rights of voters to choose for their community. It removes transparency and oversight currently provided by trained library board members. There is nothing in this bill that will improve Iowa libraries or the lives of Iowans who use libraries.

Lisa Petrie []

I am vehemently opposed to SSB 3168, just as I was earlier versions of this legislation. Public comments demonstrate clearly that Iowa citizens and city managers are *not* asking for this bill. Do not advance this bill.

Bobbi Newman []

The responsibility of hiring library directors should remain with library trustees rather than city officials for several reasons:Library trustees typically possess expertise in library science and understand their libraries' unique needs and goals, ensuring that candidates selected for the director position are wellsuited to lead effectively.Maintaining this responsibility within the purview of library trustees fosters continuity and stability within the library's leadership, as trustees are often appointed for longer terms than city officials.Keeping hiring decisions within the authority of library trustees upholds the autonomy of the library and its ability to operate independently, free from potential political influence or conflicts of interest that may arise if city officials were to oversee the hiring process.Overall, entrusting library trustees with hiring library directors promotes preserving the library's mission, integrity, and commitment to serving its community.Utilizing funds for library projects and initiatives without a public referendum, as permitted by ordinance, may undermine transparency and democratic decisionmaking processes. Without public input or approval, there is a risk that community members may feel excluded from important decisions regarding the allocation of public funds, particularly those relating to essential services such as libraries. This approach could lead to mistrust and dissatisfaction among constituents who value transparency and accountability in using taxpayer money.

Debbi Washburn []

This is a total waste of taxpayer money! You should all be ashamed of taking time to do this.we have library boards who are people much more qualified to do this job!

Kamryn Kronschnabel [Charles City Public Library]

This bill should not be elevated to the state level. There is already a legal way for city councils to gain extra control over libraries via referendums, and this additional legislation is a waste of everyones time. City councils rarely want the responsibility that is proposed here, and forcing it on everyone is a disservice to Iowans.

Susan Olesen []

Our library serves local citizens admirably with limited funding, and given all of the services it provides, I cannot for the life of me understand why you would go after libraries. We have seniors not being taken care of in nursing homes. We have filthy water. We have insurance rates rising beyond affordability. Our public schools are underfunded and because of that, my rural school district is short 5 teachers. The Governor goes after the AEAs which make it possible for rural children to have the same services as urban children and her bill is still alive in the Senate. Local control is in peril because the current Governor and Republican majorities in the Legislature and the Governor dont trust local citizens to govern themselves. And the Republican party goes after libraries. This appears to me to be another incursion into the rights of Iowans to be free to read what they want to read and to be exposed to ideas they havent considered. And it is a special hit on poor families who use the library technology for homework, business, job seeking, and communication. Libraries are at the heart of democracy. I would hope legislative bodies would be as well, but it doesnt look that way these days in Iowa. Stop this social engineering and get back to the business of enhancing the quality of life for all Iowans.