(Des Moines) Lawmakers in the Iowa House gave initial approval Monday to a bill that would strip state aid from public libraries that are “dues-paying members” of a state or national nonprofit organization that lobbies government such as the Iowa Library Association or American Library Association.
House File 284 would change library eligibility for Enrich Iowa funds provided through the State Library of Iowa to exclude members of a nonprofit organization that “promotes federal and state legislation related to libraries and engages in advocacy efforts at the federal, state or local level.”
Supporters of the bill at a subcommittee meeting on Monday focused on concerns about the content of certain books in public libraries and the perceived political agenda of the American Library Association and Iowa Library Association.
Rep. Barb Kniff McCulla, R- Pella, said “we all love” services offered by public libraries, but “we also have a concern about the types of books that are in the library, and I think that’s really what the concern is here today.”
Rep. Helena Hayes, R-New Sharon, sponsor of the bill, said the ALA opposes restrictions on library materials based on age. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is what is upsetting so many library users and parents, is that our libraries will not at least take some action, something, take some books and at least pull them away from the children’s sections,” she said.
Republicans in the Iowa Legislature have targeted public libraries in various ways the past few years. This year, House File 274 would eliminate the exemption in the state obscenity law for libraries.
The lawmakers did not cite any specific books but Jeff Pitts, speaking for the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition, said he objected to the prominent placement in a Des Moines Public Library branch of “He’s My Mom,” a children’s book by Sarah Savage for children who have a transgender parent.
“So OK, so what percentage of the population is that relevant to,” Pitts said.
Opponents argued that the state and national associations provide significant support to public libraries, such as continuing education for librarians, assistance in creating programs for people with dementia and aid in adopting the state-preferred literacy model for children.
“I am opposed to this bill because the majority of our rural libraries, which is the majority of libraries in Iowa … rely on money from Enrich Iowa in order to stay open. It is a large, significant part of their budgets,” Nancy Medema of the Ankeny Public Library Board of Trustees said.
Leslie Noble, speaking for the Iowa Library Association, said the Dunkerton Public Library received a $20,000 grant from the ALA last year to install a private meeting room for people with disabilities to use for “confidential issues, meetings and appointments.” In 2023, she said, the Nevada Public Library received a $20,000 grant to install a chair lift to make a basement storm shelter accessible to people with disabilities. After a derecho storm ripped through Marion, that library
“It wasn’t taxpayer money. It was all contributed by the American Library Association, and it benefited every community member in these communities,” she said.
Enrich Iowa, operated through the state Department of Administrative services, spends about $2.4 million a year on assistance to libraries, including $1.1 million in direct grants. Direct grant money has to be used to improve library services, according to the Enrich Iowa website.
Hayes said Enrich Iowa said Enrich Iowa awards funds to about 450 libraries a year. “That’s not a lot of money. That’s not the main part of their funding,” she said. She also said the State Library of Iowa provides services such as training for librarians.
The bill moved out of subcommittee with the support of Hayes and Kniff McCulla. Rep. Heather Matson, D-Ankeny, did not support the bill, which moves next to the House Education Committee.
