Current:Home > ScamsVoters in in small Iowa city decide not to give their City Council more control over library books-DB Wealth Institute B2 Reviews & Ratings
Voters in in small Iowa city decide not to give their City Council more control over library books
lotradecoin trading pairs availability View Date:2024-12-26 02:00:49
PELLA, Iowa (AP) — Voters in a small Iowa city narrowly decided not to support giving their City Council more power over their local library.
Just over half the voters in Pella rejected an advisory vote on whether the City Council should have more power over how the library spends its money and whether it pulls certain books from shelves, the Des Moines Register reported Wednesday. Only 87 votes separated the two sides in the unofficial tally.
The measure got on the ballot in the central Iowa town of about 10,000 people about two years after some community members tried to persuade the appointed library board to ban or restrict access to Maia Kobabe’s LGBTQ+ memoir “Gender Queer.” But the board decided to keep that book in the adult section of the library.
Attempts to ban books have continued at a record pace nationwide, according to the American Library Association, especially in conservative states and communities like Pella, where former President Donald Trump won 68% of the vote in 2020.
Opponents of the Pella measure persuaded voters that it’s better to keep the library somewhat insulated from politics. Like in many Iowa communities, the City Council-appointed library board has control over spending, who to hire as director and whether to remove books that are challenged. The council sets the budget.
“The current (library) system we have right now is a far more equitable system,” said Anne McCullough Kelly, a mental health counselor and chair of the Vote NO committee. “It’s not influenced by politics. And that keeps it a resource that serves, that equitably serves, all of the citizens of this community.”
Supporters had argued that having the City Council in charge would give taxpayers more say in how the library’s budget is spent and would have kept material they consider pornographic and harmful away from children.
A group of residents asked the library board in late 2021 to either remove “Gender Queer” or put it behind the checkout counter where kids can’t get it. They objected to the illustrated memoir’s depiction of the author’s real-life journey with sexuality and gender that includes frank sexual images.
veryGood! (9)
Related
- Democrats try to block Green Party from presidential ballot in Wisconsin, citing legal issues
- Manager of pet grooming salon charged over death of corgi that fell off table
- Beyoncé will perform halftime during NFL Christmas Day Game: Here's what to know
- Michael Bublé Details Heartwarming Moment With Taylor Swift’s Parents at Eras Tour
- Detroit judge orders sleepy teenage girl on field trip to be handcuffed, threatens jail
- Drew Barrymore Addresses Criticism Over Her Touchiness With Talk Show Guests
- Oregon lawmakers to hold special session on emergency wildfire funding
- Fewer U.S. grandparents are taking care of grandchildren, according to new data
- TikToker Nicole Renard Warren Claps Back Over Viral Firework Display at Baby’s Sex Reveal
- Trump taps immigration hard
Ranking
- Infamous LA officer’s gun found in $1 million watch robbery case
- 'Mary': How to stream, what biblical experts think about Netflix's new coming
- Luigi Mangione Case: Why McDonald's Employee Who Reported Him Might Not Get $60,000 Reward
- Chiquis comes from Latin pop royalty. How the regional Mexican star found her own crown
- Demi Lovato opens up about how 'daddy issues' led her to chase child stardom, success
- 'The Later Daters': Cast, how to stream new Michelle Obama
- Trump will be honored as Time’s Person of the Year and ring the New York Stock Exchange bell
- Luigi Mangione Case: Why McDonald's Employee Who Reported Him Might Not Get $60,000 Reward
Recommendation
-
What to stream: Post Malone goes country, Sydney Sweeney plays a nun and Madden 25 hits the field
-
Albertsons gives up on Kroger merger and sues the grocery chain for failing to secure deal
-
Syrian rebel leader says he will dissolve toppled regime forces, close prisons
-
US inflation likely edged up last month, though not enough to deter another Fed rate cut
-
NASA still hasn't decided the best way to get the Starliner crew home: 'We've got time'
-
'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
-
Stop & Shop is using grocery store kiosks to make digital
-
Albertsons gives up on Kroger merger and sues the grocery chain for failing to secure deal