A change of one word in a bill could have been a library killer

Ah, the power of words. Changing ‘shall’ to ‘may’ when it comes to language levying monies supporting public libraries caused a furor enough that the specific bill designed to do just that was put back on the shelf. Words matter, and that change spelled impending death to enough small-town libraries in Iowa and became a catalyst for uncommon political action by library fans. I highly recommend you listen to Sam Helmick, Community & Access Services Coordinator at Iowa City Public Library, and Iowa Library Association Past-President/Government Affairs Chair. They will explain the legislation that could change Iowa libraries forever and will also report as to where Iowa ranks regarding bills that impede the mission.If you like libraries, you will be appalled at what Sam explains about our dubious distinction. Please share this widely. Do you know the Library Bill of Rights? It was adopted by the American Library Association in 1939, and the original form was written by Forrest Spaulding, the director of the Des Moines Public Library, in 1938. Library Bill of RightsThe American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.VI. Libraries that make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.VII. All people, regardless of origin, age, background, or views, possess a right to privacy and confidentiality in their library use. Libraries should advocate for, educate about, and protect people’s privacy, safeguarding all library use data, including personally identifiable information.Adopted June 19, 1939, by the ALA Council; amended October 14, 1944; June 18, 1948; February 2, 1961; June 27, 1967; January 23, 1980; January 29, 2019.Inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996.Save Byron’sHey, here’s something else that needs saving. Although I have yet to attend an event at the iconic Byron’s of Pomeroy, I do whatever Art Cullen says; he believes Byron’s must be saved. Read why: You’ll find performances by many of these sorts teaching songwriting during the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat this fall. CLICK TO: Learn more I love being a founding member of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. Check it out! Below is the roundup of columns from our members who posted last week, as well as the complete roster. Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Nicole Baart: This Stays Here, Sioux CenterRay Young Bear: From Red Earth Drive, Meskwaki SettlementLaura Belin: Iowa Politics with Laura Belin, Windsor HeightsTory Brecht: Brecht’s Beat, Quad CitiesDartanyan Brown, My Integrated Life, Des MoinesDoug Burns: The Iowa Mercury, CarrollJane Burns: The Crossover, Des MoinesDave Busiek: Dave Busiek on Media, Des MoinesIowa Writers’ Collaborative, RoundupSteph Copley: It Was Never a Dress, JohnstonArt Cullen: Art Cullen’s Notebook, Storm LakeSuzanna de Baca: Dispatches from the Heartland, HuxleyDebra Engle: A Whole New World, Madison CountyDaniel Finney, Paragraph Stacker, Des MoinesArnold Garson: Second Thoughts, Okoboji and Sioux FallsJulie Gammack: Julie Gammack’s Iowa Potluck, Des Moines and OkobojiJoe Geha: Fern and Joe, AmesJody Gifford: Benign Inspiration, West Des MoinesRob Gray: Rob Gray’s Area, AnkenyNik Heftman: The Seven Times, Los Angeles and IowaBeth Hoffman: In the Dirt, LoviliaDana James: Black Iowa News, IowaChris Jones, Chris’s Substack, Iowa CityPat Kinney: View from Cedar Valley, WaterlooFern Kupfer: Fern and Joe, AmesRobert Leonard: Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture, BusseyLetters from Iowans, IowaDarcy Maulsby: Keepin’ It Rural, Calhoun CountyTar Macias: Hola Iowa, IowaAlison McGaughey, The Inquisitive Quad Citizen, Quad CitiesKurt Meyer: Showing Up, St. AnsgarVicki Minor, Relatively Minor, WintersetWini Moranville: Wini’s Food Stories, Des MoinesJeff Morrison: Between Two Rivers, Cedar RapidsKyle Munson: Kyle Munson’s Main Street, Des MoinesJane Nguyen: The Asian Iowan, West Des MoinesJohn Naughton: My Life, in Color, Des MoinesChuck Offenburger: Iowa Boy Chuck Offenburger, Jefferson and Des MoinesBarry Piatt: Piatt on Politics Behind the Curtain, Washington, D.C.Dave Price: Dave Price’s Perspective, Des MoinesSteve Semken, The Pulse of a Heartland Publisher, North LibertyMacey Shofroth: The Midwest Creative, NorwalkLarry Stone: Listening to the Land, ElkaderMary Swander: Mary Swander’s Buggy Land, KalonaMary Swander: Mary Swander’s Emerging Voices, KalonaCheryl Tevis: Unfinished Business, Boone CountyEd Tibbetts: Along the Mississippi, DavenportJason Walsmith, The Racontourist, EarlhamKali White VanBaale, 988: Mental Healthcare in Iowa, BondurantTeresa Zilk: Talking Good, Des MoinesWe want to hear from YOU! Please consider submitting a Letter by using this form:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd_uL6kP6A00CaorEzZYs7T68uLUEDZaDIUAs9IVzVWtyCpNQ/viewform This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit okobojiwriters.substack.com/subscribe