LIBRARY NETWORK ELECTION: Vote for Meyer and McCrea

Vote May 16 to re-elect trustees Judy Meyer and Regina McCrea to our Community Library Network Board. Thanks to current and previous boards, we have seven incredible community libraries and three bookmobiles. Our libraries offer groups and classes for children’s story times, knitting, crocheting, Book Babies, Imagination Explorers, senior game days, art, Yoga, meeting rooms, computers and Fit and Fall just to name a few.

Sadly, their opponents are using national fear tactics telling you, if elected, they will remove the numerous “pornographic and sexually explicit” books alleged to be in the children’s section. Current policy allows that any patron can request a review of any book that concerns them and ask for appropriate action. Those checking out books have not seemed to encounter numerous alleged obscene books. Additionally, implementation has begun for the extensive process of re-categorizing all youth books by age 0 to 12 and 12 to 15, to enable issuance of youth cards restricted by age.

Library trustee carries a tremendous responsibility. I question the opponents’ knowledge of the budget and financial operations, the multitude of services offered, who the library patrons are and the wonderful staff.

The opponents’ concern seems to be solely focused on alleged inappropriate books and none of the rest of the duties and responsibilities of the board.

Freedom — I read what I choose and you choose what you read. The library is inclusive and diverse and protected by the First Amendment. Let us not have a repeat of the NIC fiasco.

KATHY HENDERSON

Hayden