CLN TRUSTEES: Telling you what you can or cannot read

The intention by the library board to disassociate with the American Library Association (ALA) is shocking. Why in the world would they even consider this for such an important public library asset?

The mission statement the ALA is simple and straight forward. “To provide leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.” Easy enough, ALA stands with library staff and management to improve your library experience.

There is absolutely nothing remotely political, offensive or “woke” contained in the ALA mission priority and goals, so where’s the beef? Maybe it’s “Section C” that has the KCRCC goon squad in a kerfuffle. Section C has to do with censorship and your First Amendment rights as a citizen. “ALA will promote the protection of library materials, personnel and trustees from censorship; the defense of library personnel and trustees in support of intellectual freedom and the Library Bill of Rights; and the education of library personnel, trustees, and the general public to the importance of intellectual freedom.”

Ah yes, it seems the goal of the KCRCC goon squad is to make sure free citizens do not have access to any material that might cause them to question their authority. Think about that for a minute, political hacks telling you what you can or cannot read in the “public library,” do you want someone else telling you, a free citizen, what you can or cannot do?

REID HARLOCKER

Coeur d’Alene