Our Community Library Network is Under Assault
I am afraid we are going to see the collapse of yet another cherished, non-partisan public institution, with the recent election of two right-wing zealots to the Community Library Network (CLN) board of trustees. These trustees, endorsed by the KCRCC, give the CLN’s governing board the power it needs to pursue a radical agenda. Furthermore, it looks to be following the playbook used by the conservative majority controlling the North Idaho College board of trustees by hiring a new attorney. Like the new trustees themselves, he knows nothing about library management. However, he does share their narrow-minded views about what a library should be. As a result, we can expect him to politicize the CLN by using legal justification to ban books and institute other restrictive policies. Therefore, it is likely that these actions will engender a lawsuit or other legal recourse.
These new trustees intend to use scare tactics and misinformation to cut the library budget and restrict programs they consider offensive. Therefore, given what we have seen at NIC, our library network faces a future that threatens its role as a place of inclusion that empowers discovery.
So, if you value and use our Community Library Network, please do your part to track the actions of these idealogues closely and when the time comes, help make certain they are held accountable for the damage they cause.
ATTENTION: The Community Library Network Board of Trustees meets Thursday, July 20 at 1 p.m. to discuss continued funding for programs, staff, and branches. This meeting takes place at the Post Falls Library. For those seeking to give public comment, please arrive at 12:30 p.m. to sign up on the sheet outside the door. Comment is limited to 3 minutes and ends at 30 minutes.
Don’t Miss Out on the Fun
On a brighter note, the 2023 Big Blue Huckleberry BBQ is right around the corner. So, plan to join your Democratic Family for food, beverages, entertainment, auction items and more at the Elk Point Events Center on July 29th. See complete details here or on our Facebook page. You can buy your tickets now at ActBlue. There are only 150 available so get yours before they sell out. I guarantee you will have a great time.
Until then, stay out of the sun, keep cool, and have a super week.
