Response to guest column about libraries

This letter is in response to the Guest Column by Helena Hayes in the Feb. 12 edition of the Washington Evening Journal.

Before moving to Washington over two years ago, I was most familiar with the public library in Muscatine, which is a fine place. However, I was bowled over by the Washington Free Public Library. They offer such a wide variety of excellent programs and activities, for both children and adults. The librarians are top-notch, caring, educated people who work hard every day. With myriad BIG problems to address in Iowa, it depresses me to know that our state legislators now want to attack libraries.

Why is our Republican-controlled legislature so “concerned” about libraries? Rep. Hayes tells us why in the fourth paragraph of her guest column. They can’t stand it that the American Library Association (ALA) incudes (within its policy manual) statements about diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the Statue of Liberty promote these ideals. Yet, the Republican Party has now made them into “dirty” words. And how does Iowa’s legislature intend to deal with their great concern that ALA standards are embedded within Iowa’s accreditation standards for public libraries? Hayes talks of “reviewing” state library accreditation standards, which really means that those standards could be edited and rewritten. Pulling certain state funds could come next.

I ask, dear reader, who would you rather have making decisions about the materials and operations of your local library? Should we leave it to the librarians and educators who work there and know their patrons — or to the politicians who, obviously, have an agenda all their own?

Jill Goldesberry, Washington