A subreddit dedicated to the Kansas City metro area. withholding nearly $6 million in state funding, Book Bans are Driving Kids Away from Libraries and Reading. Write. In March, the Missouri House of Representatives approved a budget that would eliminate $4.5 million in state funding for public libraries. During an hourslong review of the House spending plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1, Sen. Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield, inserted $4.5 million for libraries back into the budget, setting up . We are publishing this update in support of Save Missouri Libraries and what they are doing to advocate for over 6 million dollars in state funding. This is a non-partisan issue! I used to live in MO and still visit family there. Photo courtesy of Gentry County Library. You have permission to edit this article. Gabrielle Hays St. Louis Public Library offers online electronic resource access to a number of databases, which are all . Sorth said that no state funding is going toward the suit and that the ACLU is providing free legal aid. Our kids asked good questions and most of the legislators greeted them warmly and thanked them for caring so deeply about this issue. Im sure it would feel that way to me, even if I werent the librarian[and] just a patron that [knows] this is a really important thing for me and my family. There are so many small libraries that are just barely getting by on a shoestring the way it is, Bowman said. (AP) The American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri and two state library associations are suing over a new state law that bans sexually explicit material from schools,. Metro Transit offers $5,000 signing bonus to bring in new operators, workers, St. Louis urged to invest in comprehensive solutions to youth violence, Bailey warns Missouri universities, local leaders to end affirmative action policies, Historical societies to dedicate marker for anniversary of East St. Louis race massacre, ACLU sues Missouri over book ban law that pushed school libraries to remove hundreds of titles, School librarian recalls surreal police visits over books months before new Missouri law, Missouri House gives initial approval to $45.6 billion state operating budget. I got to introduce some great speakers: our Library Director Crosby Kemper, noted civil rights activist Alvin Sykes, Camden County Library Director Michael Davis, State Librarian Barbara Reading, and teens from Kansas City Academy, Southwest High, Truman, East High, Northeast High and Van Horn. In March, the Missouri House of Representatives approved a budget that would eliminate $4.5 million in state funding for public libraries. Late last month, Missouri's House passed a budget that would strip all state funding for public libraries $4.5 million in total. Other districts have received no guidance, leaving librarians to search their stacks themselves to determine which books might be considered explicit under the law. Schmidt: The Bud Light controversy is the free market in action. Phone: (573) 522-4036 E-Mail: [email protected] MENU. Both library organizations are also run by volunteers every state has an equivalent of these two organizations that serve public and school libraries. But it sounds like a dystopian novel where a government issues a book ban, librarians are upset about it and try to exercise their rights and the government then de-funded public libraries, which is like the primary source of free information in our state.. Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Library funding is split among the states library districts. Connect to: Library Web Site Online Catalog. We decided to get some of our amazing teens together and take them to the Capitol to meet with their legislators to talk about why libraries are so important in their communities. Frequently. Last week, the American Library Association released data showing that in 2022, the amount of book challenges issued nearly doubled, and 32 percent of all book challenges included multiple titles. Subscribe to Heres the Deal, our politics Thank you. The Governor is currently withholding 6 million dollars in appropriated funds from the libraries statewide and has recommended the same cuts next year. Hough said libraries serve multiple purposes in communities, allowing people to not only get books, but internet service, job assistance and programs for adults and children. This includes Kansas City 117 were here. During the pandemic when we werent able to be open, our parking lot was full of cars because we expanded our wireless outreach beyond our walls so that people could get online to do homeschooling or.. they had to use their computers to access their schoolwork, Garrett said. Now, where are these kids supposed to go and learn and have those activities that involve books? King said. Hough and Senate President Caleb Rowden earlier said they oppose Republican language in the House blueprint that would prohibit the state from spending tax dollars on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. They are especially fired up about this and want to help lead the charge! Nearly 34 percent of Missouris population live in rural parts of the state, where this kind of access can be harder to come by. You start by taking away small things, right? Despite reassurance from lawmakers, Bowman said the future feels uncertain. Like many lawmakers, Hough said hes been fielding calls from constituents since the decision was made. (I guess he wasn't actually out of state!) The U.S. House Budget Committee is currently proposing the elimination of the Institute of Library and Museum Services, which provides federal funding to all libraries in the United States. Borrow. Missouri Ploud Program. Opponents of the proposed cuts argue the move is unconstitutional, pointing to a 1945 statute in the Missouri constitution declaring the establishment and development of free public libraries and to accept the obligation of their support by the state and its subdivisions and municipalities in such manner as may be provided by law., Rep. Peter Merideth, a ranking Democrat on the state houses budget committee who tried along with other party members to reinstate the funding, called the move to strip the funds horrific, and borderline fascist., I hate using that word, he said. The MO Legislature is currently debating the bill and may take his recommendations! HANDOUT Kurt Erickson JEFFERSON CITY The chief Senate budget writer said he plans to restore state funding for Missouri's public. * The petition to the Governor has received over 300 signatures since yesterday. This could cause cutbacks to library collections, services and staff that will be felt by citizens all across the state. Boonslick Regional Library. Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft's new rule governing libraries went into effect Tuesday, threatening to pull public libraries' state funding over providing minors with books . This comes after Republican House Budget Chairman Cody Smith proposed a $4.5 million cut to public libraries state aid last week in the initial House Budget Committee hearing, where Smith cited a lawsuit filed against Missouri by the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri (ACLU-MO) as the reason for the cut. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Missouri Public Libraries Missouri doesn't offer a list of databases to all state residents, but public libraries may provide access to cardholders. We are publishing this update in support of Save Missouri Libraries and what they are doing to advocate for over 6 million dollars in state funding. The library money was removed from the House blueprint by House Budget Chairman Cody Smith and backed by the Republicans who control the chamber last week. EveryLibrary Institute has tracked more than two dozen new obscenity bills introduced this year alone, as of March 23, 2023. Missouris Republican-led House voted to cut all funding for libraries in its version of the states annual budget. As with every case when the ACLU represents someone, we are not charging our clients to challenge the unconstitutional book ban the legislature passed last year, the statement read. While the budget still needs to work its way through the Senate and the governors office, state funding for public libraries is very much on the chopping block in Missouri. (We have video that clearly shows we were not being loud.) There was a problem saving your notification. Libraries typically provide other essential services, including free access to wi-fi and computers. So thats what they did. The Springfield-Greene County Library District serves nearly 300,000 people in the surrounding area. We had almost 100 teenagers take off from Kansas City for the Save MO Libraries Rally bright and early at 8 a.m. We started a few minutes early because it began to rain and we were worried about the sound equipment. The Missouri State Library promotes the development and improvement of library services throughout the state, provides direct library and information services in support of Missouri state government, and strives to ensure all Missourians have equal access to library services. Bowman worries most about libraries like Garretts. Please check your inbox to confirm. Video by Beth O'Malley. From state to state, libraries are struggling. Take action and tell the state legislators to restore library funding. Get a card Main website Get support. Librarians have alreadystatedthat, if this budget passes, they will have to cut back on services, including those that havehelpedMissouri communities get access to life-saving health information. Gentry County Library is located about 90 miles north of Kansas City, Missouri. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Save money. The Senateappears unlikelyto approve these cuts. On it you will find contact information for the Governor and for the House/Senate budgetary committees. These archives, libraries, societies, and museums preserve sources, maintain indexes, and provide services to help genealogists document their ancestors who lived in Missouri. Why? After one of our teens questions we were told that since there were meetings going on we were being too loud and had to leave. Butler Public Library. So that they dont face potential prison charges as well if they decide to include a book that police officers decide is explicit., Amy told the news outlet: Never would I have ever thought that the library could land me in jail.. The MO Legislature is currently debating the bill andmay take his recommendations! Some library locations may have to restrict hours or close entirely. (When they had already met with a dozen other officials with no problems at all.). If there is no state aid to match, then they could lose that much as well.. Nixon's own State of the State address. That challenges a 2022 state law prohibiting sexually explicit content in school libraries. 47.3k members in the Libraries community. MISSOURI'S LIBRARIES ARE IN DANGER. The ACLU, the Missouri Association of School Librarians, and the Missouri Library Association in February asked a judge in Kansas City to find the law unconstitutional or clarify how and when it applies. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of photos and graphics. Together, we can save libraries. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, some branches expanded their offerings to include distribution of masks and test kits, and vaccine clinics. By. This new budget proposal library cuts included has already passedthe Missouri House. And while there are carve-outs for images with serious artistic or scientific significance, those distinctions are inherently subjective. Gabrielle Hays is a Communities Reporter for the PBS NewsHour out of St. Louis. We then headed to the Governors office. Get a card Main website Get support. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. last week that the state shouldnt fund the lawsuit. newsletter for analysis you wont find anywhereelse. Why are you not supporting this? she said. Serving Seniors: A Resource Manual for Missouri Libraries by the Missouri Secretary of State and Missouri State Library 2002; libraries; public libraries; Missouri State Library; LSTA; Addeddate 2022-03-29 21:33:29 #savemolibraries The Governor has released the 6 million dollars in state aid to Missouri Libraries but has recommended the same budget cuts next year! After the teens were treated so poorly, the hashtag. Brookfield Public Library. Beyond internet, libraries have historically provided analog services that existed long before fiber optics, such as passport services, free concerts and assistance with voter registration. To suddenly have the legislators say, no, were not going to provide any more money for you, thats very disappointing, she told the NewsHour. GKN Aerospace is closing. The Missouri Constitution requires the state to fund free public libraries. Missouri librarians concerned with secretary of state's new rules on materials for minors | Missouri | thecentersquare.com . Learn more about Friends of the NewsHour. Rowden said the diversity and inclusion provisions were overly broad and would result in billions of dollars in cuts to hospitals, health care facilities, colleges and universities, and the Missouri House of Representatives itself.. All Rights Reserved. Left: Follow us on Twitter for more bookish goodness! After one of our teen's questions we were told that since there were meetings going on we were being too loud and had to leave. During the unrest following the death of Michael Brown, the Ferguson Public Library offered a place of solace, congregation and learning, a role that was recognized in Gov. JEFFERSON CITY The chief Senate budget writer said he plans to restore state funding for Missouris public libraries that was stripped out of the House version of the states spending plan. They then called up extra security to monitor us and had Governor Nixon escorted out with four police officers. Among them were you, our readers. Each public library shall establish a parental library review board as provided 18 in this subsection. (AP) Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, a top Republican prospect for governor, wants to block public funding for library books that might appeal to the "prurient" . "G. During the height of the pandemic libraries across the country closed but some expanded their internet access, which residents used from parking lots. Be heard. Thank you for helping save Missouri libraries April 7, 2015 January 22, 2018 casscolibrary Book Riot, . Many of our teens then went up and watched the chamber from the visitor's gallery and then we boarded the buses back to Kansas City. (The Center Square) - A day of vigorous debates in the Missouri House of Representatives ended at 10:56 p.m. on Wednesday as the state's budget bills were approved and sent Missouri House adds diversity rule, defunds libraries in budget sent to Senate | Missouri | thecentersquare.com We asked if their staff would come out into the hall with us and talk to us there so we wouldn't bother anyone and they denied that request. Follow @kclibraryteens on Twitter and Facebook. This could cause cutbacks to library collections, services and staff that will be felt by citizens all across the state. The ACLU is suing the state alongside the Missouri Association of School Librarians and the Missouri Library Association. Libraries are an important resource for so many people, Hough said. He also performs on many stages in Kansas City, where he lives with his wife Christy and their cats. But further, the book banning amendment within SB 775 needs to be repealed. We had library systems from all over Missouri join us! Last chance! Among the books: The graphic novel adaptations of Kurt Vonneguts Slaughterhouse Five and The Handmaids Tale, Batman comics, and books about famous women. ACLU-MO filed the suit on behalf of the Missouri Association of School Librarians and the Missouri Library Association (MLA) in an effort to overturn a state law passed in 2022 that bans. Tamara King, a parent and resident of St. Charles County, told the NewsHour it feels like the states residents should still be concerned even if the budget is not yet final. * Let me know if you want to get involved so we can make this a more unified statewide effort! Let thelegislatorsbelow know how much you care about libraries! Jon Karlen, a resident of St. Charles County, whose more than 400,000 residents are represented by Republican legislators, told the NewsHour that book bans and library funding cuts in the state feels like an effort to control distribution of information, which, he said, would hurt the states most vulnerable residents in the end. Main website Get support. It was a spirited rally and the teens were especially great. Chad is a general assignment reporter at St. Louis Public Radio. The threats to Missouri's libraries are echoed in state legislatures and local governments across the US, with right-wing activist campaigns against titles by and about LGBT+ people or. This library is affiliated with Hannibal Free Public Library (view map) . Missouri ACLU leaders said in a statement the defunding targets libraries and its patrons. In Missouri, 20 percent of the population more than 1.26 million people do not have high-speed internet access. removed from the House blueprint by House Budget Chairman Cody Smith. They just have to go home and Google it. But as far into the Internet era as we are, not everybody in Missouri has that opportunity, he said. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com. United States. Library details: Hannibal Free Public Library is a Public library. How Can the Archives Benefit My Office? Summer Grilling Secrets - Pro Techniques to Boost Your Grilling Game. Our rural libraries rely the most heavily on this funding to serve their communities, and they will be crippled by this drastic budget cut.. Late last month, Missouris House passed a budget that would strip all state funding for public libraries $4.5 million in total. Bowman said state funds make up about 1% of Daniel Boone Regional Librarys budget, which includes the Columbia Public Library. Sorth said state funding represents about $500,000 of the districts $60 million budget. Apparently Smith considers it unfair for Missouri state employees to fight for their rights in court. Smith, R-Carthage, believes the state shouldnt subsidize the lawsuit by giving public libraries money. How Should We Feel About Barnes & Noble Now? Make no mistake: This amendment enables book banning on a statewide scale. 70 votes, 18 comments. Missouri Library Directory. We are going to be meeting with the teens who attended and strategize on what to do next. Karlen said it is issues like these, among others, that show the states lawmakers dont make decisions that align with what voters want. Governor Nixon is trying to defund Missouri libraries to the tune of $6 million per year. We complied and left his office. * Direct people to www.savemolibraries.org for updates on the campaign. The house budget committees choice to retaliate against two private, volunteer-led organizations by punishing the patrons of Missouris public libraries is abhorrent, Tom Bastian, deputy director for communications for ACLU-MO said in a statement to Motherboard. Save MO Libraries. This newest budget proposal needs to be opposed by all readers, writers, community advocates, and yes, parents. Support Intelligent, In-Depth, Trustworthy Journalism.
Breaking News Nyc Right Now,
Hudson Valley Apartments Wallkill, Ny,
Travis Unified School District Substitute Pay,
Athletic Net Wisconsin Middle School,
Articles S
