Director’s comments unkind, discriminatory

We do not speak for the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission as the comment to which we will refer came after our commission meeting.

We were shocked at the comments of the Cedar Rapids library director about not wishing (the new library) to be near public transportation. The library is for everyone and is especially valuable for people who do not have ready access to books and computers. We don't believe the director to be unkind, but his comments sounded unkind and discriminatory especially to the low income and homeless.

It has often been noted how generous this community is to those less fortunate than they would want to be. We hope the library director will rethink the statement and apologize.

Nancylee Ziese

Chair

Karl Cassel

Executive director

Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission