There Is A Movement Afoot, And I Don't Like It!

2020 and now 2021 have thrown open the window on a great many issues we had been ignoring or blind to in the Library world. From how we clean our libraries, to what we are putting on our shelves, to how we offer services. BUT..there is a trend growing that could undermine all of the great work libraries have worked so hard to produce. And it is much too close for comfort. 

Every public library system has a library board. Depending on the structure, local libraries will have a board of their own AND a system library board. While those are meant to support and promote the library within the community, as in the case of Nile Public Library in Niles, Illinois that is not the case.  In reading about NPL, and doing so quick research, I have been both struck and challenged by the actions of a politically motivated library, but not at all surprised. 

The library boards I have worked for have shaped, and reiterated my beliefs that libraries of every stripe need to be self promoting. Unfortunately, in the case of NPL that was not enough. While they system won awards at the ALA level, had effective programs, offered great services, it still finds itself  dealing with a system originally designed to support the library set to destroy it. The politicization of library boards is not new in American Library history, but there in the wake of political changes on the national level there is a concerted effort by a particular political movement to infiltrate every level of government. It's not news political operatives and big money spenders have been working at the local level to place candidates on the ballot for local elections. Library boards are not immune. Look no further than The Koch Brothers to see efforts to place candidates on library boards starting in 2016.

Libraries are a public service traditionally offered at little or no cost to the public writ large. From Thomas Jefferson through to the Librarians of Nile Public Library, the goal of creating a well informed and educated society is fundamental to those of us who work in libraries. We take this seriously, and so should the public. Without libraries, and the access to information, the American public is left in the dark as to the actions of our so called "leaders" and that, as we have seen, is dangerous for our democracy.  Please, take this as a fire bell in the night. Whether you use your public library or not, take a minute to research how it is structured and who is sitting on the library's board. If you are active with your library, get involved in the board, the Friends Of The Library, or local government somehow. Make sure this does not happen in your hometown, because there is a movement across the country to take over small, seemingly insignificant positions and then defund vital public services.