Banning school-library teamwork undercuts education

For dubious reasons, Republicans who control the Iowa House are pursuing a bill that would prohibit public and charter schools from entering into agreements with local public libraries to give students access to books and other materials.

Republicans who support the bill claim the agreements amount to a loophole in Iowa’s law banning books with descriptions of sex from school libraries. So, apparently, we need another misguided law to enforce the lawmakers’ original book ban blunder.

The bill, House Study Bill 636, was approved 14-9 by the House Education Committee. It was opposed by Democrats and two sensible Republicans, Reps. Chad Ingels, of Randalia, and Thomas Moore, of Griswold.

It would prevent schools from allowing bookmobiles to deliver materials to students. Schools would also be barred from entering into agreements with libraries, such as allowing students to use their school IDs as library cards.

“Once again, Iowa is facing a situation where schools are enabling access to materials that are harmful to minors,” said Katherine Bogaards, representing Protect My Innocence, in support of the bill.

Cedar Rapids Public Library Director Dara Schmidt said the library has no formal partnership with local schools, although it regularly visits classrooms and school events. After the derecho, students could use IDs as a library card.

“I think it's ridiculous when headlines and legislators refer to this as the ‘loophole bill.’” Schmidt said. ”It's not a loophole for schools and libraries to work together.“

Actually, the situation we’re facing is how to inspire kids to read and ensure they have access to all sorts of books and other educational materials. This bill completely ignores the educational benefits of public library access and focuses on an imaginary threat concocted by culture warriors.

“Why would we want students to have less access to books? Why would we not want to engage that excitement in reading?” said Democratic state Rep. Elinor Levin, of Iowa City.

It’s a very good question.

The bill also ignores that many schools across Iowa lack libraries and rely on public libraries to fill that role. Also, as many as 10 school districts in Iowa house public libraries in school facilities to cover two needs at less cost.

Des Moines has five schools without library facilities, and has worked out an agreement to allow seventh through 12th-graders to use ID cards as library cards.

Is the Legislature really going to destroy these partnerships? Are lawmakers prepared to offer grants to build libraries at these schools?

This bill needs to go on the scrap heap. Drop the culture war crusade and get back to work dealing with real problems Iowans face.

(319) 398-8262; editorial@thegazette.com