LIBRARIES: Astonishing controversy
The current controversy surrounding the Community Library Network board is upsetting on so many levels. First, this is not a problem with local roots. There is a national movement to take over library boards so the most conservative members of society can control what the rest of us read. Second, the amount of anger and animosity these groups bring to the library is astonishing. The library is probably the nicest place on Earth. Librarians are the people that introduced us to our favorite author or helped us entertain our children with umpteen free programs or helped us use scanners/computers/printers that we don’t have access to at home. They certainly don’t qualify as “pedophiles” or “groomers” as some have accused them of being in board meetings.
Lastly, the idea that children are endangered by books is astonishing in this modern age. I’m a parent of a high school student and I throw a party any time he consults a book. Children go to the internet for their questions where they are offered effort-free videos and an algorithm that feeds them more of the same with each search. Voters have a real choice coming up for library board elections. I know — we all want to go back to the days where things like library boards, college boards, hospital boards were filled with boring people who knew what they were doing. But those days are gone in our community. Please, vote like your rights depend on it. Because they do.
BECKY HARRO
Coeur d’Alene