The Iowa Legislature is currently working on a bill that could possibly transfer the oversight and control of local libraries from the various library boards to the local governing entity such as the city council. State Senator Julian Garrett tells KNIA News he has not read any final version of the bill that has come up as it hasn’t been in his committees, but he is in favor of the overall idea.

“It does make some sense from a democratic point of view that the public should have some say. Under the present system they don’t have a lot. Of course the city council in the long run can take charge if they want to. But most libraries don’t have a whole lot of oversight, so there is some concern in the legislature.

Some opponents say this bill would take away the independent oversight of the library, and would allow reactionary councils to ban books. To listen to the full interview, click below.

https://www.kniakrls.com/2024/02/13/lets-talk-indianola-state-senator-julian-garrett-51/