Articles Tagged: Public libraries

Dozens of Iowa libraries will receive the funding early next year to use as they see fit.

After nearly 200 years, Baker & Taylor — the largest single supplier of content to American libraries — would be ceasing its operations. The news quickly ricocheted through literary circles in Iowa and beyond, leaving many wondering what’s next for libraries left behind.

State Library of Iowa attributes delivery changes to “rising costs and federal budget uncertainty.”

Samurai Dan Coglan taught community members about the art of Japanese swordsmanship as part of the summer reading program at the Solon Public Library on Monday.

Federal funding for Iowa library systems — and the public services they support — could be at risk following a presidential directive targeting a federal agency that provides financial support to libraries across the U.S.

The retired Cedar Rapids teacher has been giving back to Marion Public Library for more than 30 years.

Iowa House and Senate lawmakers Tuesday advanced bills aiming to — among other things — increase intellectual diversity on the University of Iowa campus and sexual abuse awareness and prevention education in schools, restrict state funds to libraries that are American Library Association members, and allow public schools to offer an elective social studies course on the Bible.

Libraries that are “dues-paying members” of certain nationwide nonprofit organizations would be cut off from one avenue of state funding under legislation being considered by Iowa state lawmakers.

Republican lawmakers’ efforts to protect children from books and material they view as obscene would extend beyond schools to all public libraries under a proposal advanced Monday. Opponents say Iowa law already includes a test that determines whether books and other materials are obscene.

Meet Meredith Crawford, who the Library Journal recognized in its annual list of 50 “Movers & Shakers: The People Shaping the Future of Libraries.” With relentless passion and energy, she has “connected the library to parts of the community that we’ve never been able to connect with.”

Iowa libraries and museums warn of financial losses as a result of property tax changes signed into law last year.

Also, lawmakers advance a bill that would require district-level elections of supervisors in large counties

The proposed state law come after a similar proposal in Pella was defeated by a public vote in November.

Just over half the voters in Pella rejected an advisory vote on whether the council should have more power over how the library spends its money and whether it pulls certain books from shelves,

Amid legislation targeting the information sector, public librarians speak on their growing role as a force in the political realm. From representative literature to creating inclusive environments, libraries are offering more to the community than books.