A new Iowa house bill would allow city councils to override decisions made by library boards. It would strike current law which requires voter approval before cities can directly make changes to their local library.Currently, local library boards of trustees set policy and oversee what books are in the library’s collection. Boards are appointed by mayors and approved by city councils. If a city wants to override a library decision, voters have to first give their approval by passing a referendum. House Study Bill 678 would remove that requirement.Sue Woody, director of Des Moines Public Library, said that would take away independent oversight of public libraries.”Libraries feel that this is a very alarming bill. This takes control away from our very important library board of trustees. These are amazing individuals stakeholders who are passionate, who care about the library and who understand library oversight,” Woody said. “We want to make sure that we maintain integrity of our services and not be a political football.”The new bill comes months after Pella voters rejected a referendum that would have given their city council control of the library. Some people in Pella were upset that the library board refused to remove the book “Gender Queer” from its shelves.Anne McCullough Kelly, who was involved in the Vote No to Save Our Library effort, said she is “disappointed and frustrated” by the renewed effort to strip library boards of their authority.”Iowa legislators are now trying to pass a statewide law codifying the same system of library governance that the majority of Pella voters demonstrated they clearly don’t want. This does not respect the voice of the people,” McCullough Kelly said.During Thursday’s subcommittee meeting on HSB 678, no Iowans spoke in support of the bill. More than 500 people left comments online overwhelmingly in opposition.As of Friday night, no city or lobbying organization had registered in support of the bill.Despite the opposition, state Rep. Carter Nordman (R-Panora) advanced the bill on Thursday. He said there are several city officials and administrators that have asked for the proposed changes. “If a city is having personnel conflicts, management issues, board make-up problems, or other tax dollar related concerns, this bill puts a tool in the council’s toolbox to address these problems that absolutely fall within their scope as the elected officials of the city,” Nordman said. He also said the bill was not written in response to the Pella referendum. Nordman said several city officials met with lawmakers regarding library boards and city operations. Although Nordman did not share which cities had concerns, he said several officials told lawmakers that non-elected volunteer library trustees are often not appropriately positioned to handle issues related to fiscal management, statutory and policy compliance, and personnel matters.”It is extremely disappointing how much the Iowa Library Association has instilled fear and misinformation into its members, small city councils, and the public,” Nordman said. “If your city trusts and works well with its library board, absolutely nothing would change under this proposed legislation. This bill would not, in any way, force a city council to take over a library board.”The House bill is scheduled to be discussed in committee on Monday.A similar Senate bill, which would have also allowed cities and counties to opt out of funding libraries, was tabled earlier in the week.Rep. Jesse Green (R-Harcourt) introduced a new Senate bill, SSB 3168, which would also give cities more power over library boards. That bill is scheduled for a subcommittee hearing, where Iowans can give speak on the plan and give input, on Monday at 10:30am in room 315 at the Iowa statehouse.Get the latest headlines from KCCI» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
A new Iowa house bill would allow city councils to override decisions made by library boards. It would strike current law which requires voter approval before cities can directly make changes to their local library.
Currently, local library boards of trustees set policy and oversee what books are in the library’s collection. Boards are appointed by mayors and approved by city councils.
If a city wants to override a library decision, voters have to first give their approval by passing a referendum. House Study Bill 678 would remove that requirement.
Sue Woody, director of Des Moines Public Library, said that would take away independent oversight of public libraries.
“Libraries feel that this is a very alarming bill. This takes control away from our very important library board of trustees. These are amazing individuals [and] stakeholders who are passionate, who care about the library and who understand library oversight,” Woody said. “We want to make sure that we maintain integrity of our services and not be a political football.”
The new bill comes months after Pella voters rejected a referendum that would have given their city council control of the library. Some people in Pella were upset that the library board refused to remove the book “Gender Queer” from its shelves.
Anne McCullough Kelly, who was involved in the Vote No to Save Our Library effort, said she is “disappointed and frustrated” by the renewed effort to strip library boards of their authority.
“Iowa legislators are now trying to pass a statewide law codifying the same system of library governance that the majority of Pella voters demonstrated they clearly don’t want. This does not respect the voice of the people,” McCullough Kelly said.
During Thursday’s subcommittee meeting on HSB 678, no Iowans spoke in support of the bill. More than 500 people left comments online overwhelmingly in opposition.
As of Friday night, no city or lobbying organization had registered in support of the bill.
Despite the opposition, state Rep. Carter Nordman (R-Panora) advanced the bill on Thursday. He said there are several city officials and administrators that have asked for the proposed changes.
“If a city is having personnel conflicts, management issues, board make-up problems, or other tax dollar related concerns, this bill puts a tool in the council’s toolbox to address these problems that absolutely fall within their scope as the elected officials of the city,” Nordman said.
He also said the bill was not written in response to the Pella referendum. Nordman said several city officials met with lawmakers regarding library boards and city operations.
Although Nordman did not share which cities had concerns, he said several officials told lawmakers that non-elected volunteer library trustees are often not appropriately positioned to handle issues related to fiscal management, statutory and policy compliance, and personnel matters.
“It is extremely disappointing how much the Iowa Library Association has instilled fear and misinformation into its members, small city councils, and the public,” Nordman said. “If your city trusts and works well with its library board, absolutely nothing would change under this proposed legislation. This bill would not, in any way, force a city council to take over a library board.”
The House bill is scheduled to be discussed in committee on Monday.
A similar Senate bill, which would have also allowed cities and counties to opt out of funding libraries, was tabled earlier in the week.
Rep. Jesse Green (R-Harcourt) introduced a new Senate bill, SSB 3168, which would also give cities more power over library boards. That bill is scheduled for a subcommittee hearing, where Iowans can give speak on the plan and give input, on Monday at 10:30am in room 315 at the Iowa statehouse.
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