is missouri closing libraries

This is not a comprehensive list. Republicans are retaliating against a librarians organization for suing the state over a law on book banning. Colors Hunter - Chasseur de Couleurs / Moment / Getty Images. Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe, which was banned by seven St. Louis area school districts, is seen with other banned or challenged books on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022, at The Novel Neighbor in Webster Groves. There's the potential that they would need to reduce hours, reduce the number of staff and potentially even close some days of the week because they won't be able to make ends meet, Bowman said. Experts monitoring Republican efforts to shut down public libraries told Vox that the threat is often the last step in a series of escalations. Find the latest Library updates at kclibrary.org/covid. Edited by Beth O'Malley, video courtesy of SCCMOTV. Supreme Court Strikes Down Affirmative Action in Colleges, Keeps It for Military Academies: Roundtable, Is Supreme Courts Gay Wedding Case Built on a Lie? newsletter. Each week, we explore unique solutions to some of the world's biggest problems. Of the 36 disclosed by the IRS, only two are not corporate executives, retired corporate executives or their spouses. When Missouris House voted in late March to approve a state budget that would eliminate $4.5 million in funding for public libraries, local and national free speech advocates went into panic mode. Two states currently have ranked-choice voting for statewide elections. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. According to data from the Missouri Secretary of State, at least 4.4 million Missourians have access to public library services, including wireless hotspots for checkout, notary services, faxing and printing, early literacy programs, homework assistance, and access to services designed for veterans and job seekers. . One newspaper questioned whether the revelations demonstrated a "too-cozy" relationship between DeSantis and his donors. Im going to help these churches get funding, he tweeted. Smith has claimedthat the reduction of funds for public municipal libraries was needed to ensure the MLA couldn't use state funds to help "subsidize" its lawsuit however, the ACLU is not actually charging the MLA any fees but providing legal aidpro bono, thus rendering the GOP lawmaker's concerns moot. Rule targeting Missouri libraries could go into effect with no public hearing. Sign up for the Libraries bolster democracy. Most news outlets make their money through advertising or subscriptions. You have permission to edit this article. If the bans arent as effective as theyd hope, they escalate to threatening to defund local libraries. The library had refused to remove titles with LGBTQ themes and without a new millage, the library is set to close sometime in mid-2024. Find popular everyday essentials at a discount during Prime Day 2023. The law, passed last year, does not apply to written descriptions of sex or sexual acts; only photos, drawings, videos and other visual depictions are prohibited. Librarians and other school officials who violate the law by allowing students to have access to the material would be charged with a misdemeanor and risk a $2,000 fine or up to a year in jail. The S&T IT Help Desk staff will assist users remotely via phone or chat Monday, July 3. Any school official, including librarians, who fails to comply with the law could be fined up to $2,000 and/or could be imprisoned for up to a year. Good morning, to everyone except Missouri House Republicans. Its disturbing that the Houses decision to defund our libraries has become this political message. COLUMBIA, Mo. Missouri is one of a growing number of places where government funding is being deployed as the newest weapon in the fight over books. CLINTON, Mo. Focusing on both national and local topics since the early 2000s, he has produced thousands of articles analyzing the issues of the day and their impact on the American people. The suit argues the law is unconstitutional, amounting to government censorship and the suppression of students First Amendment rights. As the right-wing fervor grows, can you help us defend truthful information and uplift the stories of movements for justice? The bill forbids teachers and staff members from discussing LGBTQ topics with students in grades K-12. Headline Apr 12, 2023 In Missouri, the Republican-controlled House on Tuesday approved a budget that completely defunds public libraries. JEFFERSON CITY A controversial change to how public libraries operate in Missouri may go into effect without any public hearings, despite generating a record-setting amount of public comments. Associated Press articles: Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. The Rogers Broadside is on loan to University Libraries for 10 years. tried to dissolve the local library system. Sergio Perez-Martinezescaped from the jail at the same time as Sparks. Libraries are a community hub where people can get assistance with a variety of services, including help with taxes during tax season, and computer and internet services. Usually, lawmakers start with book bans. PEN America, a national nonprofit that aims to protect freedom of expression, released. But full funding for the states libraries is still not guaranteed and librarians and patrons are concerned that libraries across the state are still under attack and subject to the whims of Republican lawmakers. A downtown parking garage is crumbling. This bullshit has to stop!! Republican lawmakers in the Missouri state House of Representatives followed through on threats they previously made to librarians, passing a state budget this week that eliminates all funding to public libraries throughout the Show Me State.. Attacks on libraries and their employees have only grown in the past few years and arent slowing down. Having free access to information is important in a democracy, so it has frightened a lot of people that our state would want to make that more difficult, said Otter Bowman, the president of the Missouri Library Association and a staffer at the Daniel Boone Regional Library in Columbia, Missouri. The move comes after the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Missouri Association of School Librarians and the Missouri Library Association. Here's the full grandstand schedule for this year's Missouri State Fair: Thursday, Aug. 10 - Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line with Parmalee, 7:30 p.m., $45 grandstand/$50 track The proposal, approved close to midnight by the House Budget Committee, would cut the entire $4.5 million in state aid that libraries were slated to get next year. [2] They support libraries in Missouri with resource sharing and continuing education programs as well as . Missouri slaughterhouse wants OK to pump 350,000 gallons per day of treated wastewater into river, Former mayor of small Missouri town lined her own pockets with city funds, Anheuser-Busch CEO says Bud Light conversation has 'moved away from beer', Blaze engulfs St. Louis skate park inside historic church, Merger of BJC and Saint Lukes will likely raise hospital prices in Missouri, analysts say, Jackson Holliday, son of former Cardinal Matt Holliday, named baseball's new top prospect, After Adam Wainwright deactivates his Twitter account, Cardinals fans, followers express dismay, Shot putter runs 100-meter hurdles to save team from disqualification after teammates injured. Oops. The Missouri Senate later restored the funding to the budget proposal in April. Storytime for Babies - 9:30am at Green Hills Library Center. Missouri's GOP-controlled House of Representatives voted this month to eliminate all library funding from its budget. The COVID-19 pandemic has created safety and staffing challenges that may result in temporary location closures or changes in hours. If you also believe that everyone deserves access to trusted high-quality information, will you make a gift to Vox today? The house budget committees choice to retaliate against two private, volunteer-led organizations by punishing the patrons of Missouris public libraries is abhorrent, the organization said in a statement. Theyve become liberal grooming centers.. St. Louis Public Radio | Librarians and other school officials face up to a year in jail or a $2,000 fine for violating the policy, which makes it a crime to provide minors with sexually explicit visual material. Missouri Republicans proposal may violate the state constitution. June 30, 2023. He also enjoys graphic design, pop culture, film, and comedy. Copyright 2023 Salon.com, LLC. A former fugitive who triggered a massive manhunt pleads guilty to escaping from prison. Saying Missouri has fallen behind other red states, Ashcroft is the second major Republican to announce a bid for governor. Libraries that violate the rules would risk losing state funding, which is distributed by the Secretary of States Office through the state librarian. View All Events. The Missouri State Library (MSL) is the official State Library of Missouri located in Jefferson City, Missouri. Libraries, University of Missouri 104 Ellis Library, 520 S 9th St, Columbia, MO 65211 Phone: (573) 882-4701 Second, were not in the subscriptions business. Starting May 20th, the Health Sciences Library will close and plan on reopening our brand new library in July 2024. Google Pay. The library also provides meeting rooms, study rooms, and in many cases serves as a heating and cooling center, and offers restrooms, for people who are unhoused. The owners wish to remain anonymous. Exceptions are provided for works of art, science classes, and other educational courses. As the right-wing fervor grows, can you help us defend truthful information and uplift the stories of movements for justice? The St. Charles City-County Library District, for example, said of the more than 1.1 million people who walked in the doors last year, only six requests were made by three people questioning the content of a book. The Missouri state government is constitutionally required to provide aid to public libraries, so it's unlikely that Republicans will successfully strip away all funding. Materials for the program are provided through the generous support of the Friends of the Missouri City Branch Library. Smith has said the state shouldnt subsidize the lawsuit by giving public libraries money. By submitting your email, you agree to our, The rising Republican movement to defund public libraries, The Air Quality Index and how to use it, explained, Affirmative action for white college applicants is still here, The other big decision just handed down by the Supreme Court, explained, The monstrous arrogance of the Supreme Courts affirmative action decision. Known as the Rogers Broadside, this original Declaration of Independence was printed by John Rogers in the shop of Ezekiel Russell in Salem, Mass., between July 14-16, 1776. Video by Jane Henderson. Help us get essential knowledge into a world that needs revolution and healing make a tax-deductible donation today! SALON is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as a trademark of Salon.com, LLC. Meanwhile, in Texas, Llano County officials are considering shutting down the local public library system after a federal judge ruled the banning of some dozen books, mostly for children, is unconstitutional. At a budget meeting in March, Missouri state Rep. Cody Smith, the House budget committee chair who proposed cutting the funding, singled out the ACLU lawsuit, stating, I dont think we should subsidize the attempts to overturn laws that we also created, according to PBS. Librarians and patrons in Missouri were quick to point out how harmful even the threat of defunding libraries is. Conservatives Won a Landslide. I have not talked to anyone who isnt on our side.. "Library funding is guaranteed in the MO constitution. This rule absolutely needs a public hearing before any action is taken, Rizzo said Tuesday. In 2017, Chad joined the St. Louis Public Radio team as the fourth Race and Culture Diversity Fellow. Moms for Liberty aims "to obstruct the professional responsibilities of historians," one historians' group said. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Under terms of that committee, the matter must be decided by March 10 whether a hearing is held. The decision comes as the student debt payment pause is slated to end, yanking away a chance at relief for millions. Fort Bend County Libraries Missouri City Branch Library will present a special program on The Language of Flowers on Friday, July 14, from 12:15 to 1:45 pm, in the Meeting Room of the library. Its been said this is a book ban. This is not that, Deaton said. City: Estimated Closure: ADAIR COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY; ADAIR COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY; KIRKSVILLE March 17 - Until Further Notice; ADRIAN COMMUNITY LIBRARY ADRIAN COMMUNITY LIBRARY; ordinarily mild-mannered actor LeVar Burton, who hosted the popularPBSchildren's program "Reading Rainbow" for decades,tweeted in response to the budget bill. The move came in response to an ACLU lawsuit filed by the Missouri Association of School Librarians and the Missouri Library Association, challenging a recent law that bans certain books. Other commentators spoke out against the defunding of libraries in the state. Man at Center of the Story Says Hes Straight, Supreme Court Case to End Bidens Student Loan Cancellation Plan Relies on Unwilling Participant. The Supreme Courts lawless, completely partisan student loans decision, explained, The difficult reality of restarting student loan payments, in 5 charts, The Supreme Court will decide if abusive spouses have a right to own guns, Why Jonathan Majorss assault arrest is so disturbing and so complicated, An Airbnb collapse wont fix Americas housing shortage, How to prepare for the return of student loan payments. The logic-defying statement by Scott echoed similar remarks he made in May. Rep. Peter Merideth: I feel like were starting to live in a dystopian future from like '1984' or 'Fahrenheit 411,' or whatever '451,' thank you where were talking about book bans from the government, and then the government being mad at librarians as the threat to our kids, and defunding public libraries. A revised version says only a parent of a minor can challenge access. Copyright 2023 St. Louis Public Radio. Missouri House passes $46 billion budget that bars funding for diversity and inclusion efforts, Missouri House gives initial approval to $45.6 billion state budget that defunds libraries, ACLU sues Missouri over book ban law that pushed school libraries to remove hundreds of titles. It hurts their communities. In March, the Sumner County Library Board in Tennessee voted to fire a library director after accusations of unkind treatment toward evangelist Kirk Cameron at a conservative library event. At least three people were killed - two men and one woman - and five others were injured after a Sunday morning shooting in Kansas City, Missouri, police said. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. 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Rick Scotts Travel Warning for Florida Is a Veiled Threat to Socialists, Despair and Disparity: The Uneven Burdens of COVID-19, Religions Role in the Struggle for Justice. Residents in Ada County, Idaho, recently tried to dissolve the local library system, though commissioners ultimately decided to not put the question of dissolving the library on the ballot. Comments and respectful dialogue are encouraged, but content will be moderated. Two students have sued a Missouri school district over its decision to remove eight books from school libraries, arguing the novels were banned because they discuss issues surrounding race, gender . Federal court documents also say Sparks group distributed at least a kilogram of methamphetamine every day for nearly a year in the Kansas City, Springfield, St. Joseph, and St. Louis areas between Jan. 1, 2017, and Dec. 12, 2018. In St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, the St. Tammany Library Control Board recently voted to keep five challenged books on the shelves of the towns libraries after months of disputes over titles including, I Am Jazz, a picture book about a transgender child, and Toni Morrisons classic The Bluest Eye. At first I was in disbelief and then my blood ran cold because I thought of the terrible impact this would have, particularly on smaller libraries, but for everyone across the board. We rely on contributions from our viewers and listeners to do our work. For many communities, the library is the center of community, St. Louis County Public Library District CEO and President Kristen Sorth said. Canadian wildfire smoke hits St. Louis ahead of triple-digit heat. Other states, including Louisiana, Iowa, Indiana, and Tennessee, have seen similar challenges to libraries. Rent The Pointe (3rd floor) at Missouri City Branch Library? Controversy has been brewing in the small town of Clinton this month, after a summer reading kickoff program held by the Henry County Library on June 3. Learn About the Language of Flowers at Missouri City Branch Library, Bob Lutts Fulshear/Simonton Branch (CLOSED). Republican House Budget Chairman Cody Smith last week cut the roughly $4.5 million in public library funding from the budget, citing a lawsuit by two library groups to overturn a new Missouri law that bans sexually explicit material in school libraries. A new mural project by St. Louis artist David Ruggeri brings awareness to the importance of access to banned books. This rule would greatly expand the governments power to force decisions onto local libraries, and it should not be taken lightly. Theyre mechanisms in a larger campaign to control what is and isnt allowed in public spaces.. Mar 29, 2023 If the proposed budget cut passes, Missouri libraries might have to cut back on what they can provide the public. Greek Left Leaders Betrayed the Working Class. Last chance! to your inbox each morning. Get the news you want, delivered to your inbox every day. Heres Plan B. The funding cuts were first approved by the Missouri House Budget Committee. The Missouri Constitution requires the state to fund free public libraries. Another aspect of it is that they receive matching funds from the federal government at this point. Thats the real world here today in Republican-led Missouri.. Seating is limited however, and reservations are required. In March, the Missouri House of Representatives approved a budget that would eliminate $4.5 million in state funding for public libraries. 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Rick Scotts Travel Warning for Florida Is a Veiled Threat to Socialists, Despair and Disparity: The Uneven Burdens of COVID-19, Religions Role in the Struggle for Justice. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. And it hurts their kids. Responding to the budget being passed in the state House of Representatives, the MLA noted that the complete wiping out of funding to libraries was also unconstitutional, as the states highest governing document says the state has a policy to accept the obligation of funding its institutions. It hurts their communities. Library staff will talk about the meanings of different flowers and the history of how people have communicated with each other with flowers. Greek Left Leaders Betrayed the Working Class. 'We're not looking to blow up this team,' says Mozeliak as trade deadline nears: Cardinals Extra, proposed rule would require Missouris 160 local public libraries. The stripping of funds for public libraries was donein retaliation over a lawsuitbrought forward by the Missouri Library Association (MLA), which, along with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), is suing the state over a draconian law that bans hundreds of titles in public school district libraries, including books that discuss LGBTQ issues, racial justice and the history of the Holocaust. LOUIS- Missouri's Republican-led House voted to cut all funding for libraries in its version of the state's annual budget, an unprecedented move that has angered librarians and patrons across. It is protecting innocent children., To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com. The more we challenge those ideas, eventually, I hope it grows stronger than the campaign to suppress.. The proposal drew a sustained rebuke from libraries across the state. Were seeing more ed scare legislation at the state level and new ways that districts are changing book policies locally. Theyre pandering to a particular base that may or may not understand how libraries work. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. To support all of these services, the state has consistently allocated more than $3.5 million each fiscal year since 2020. Trevor Sparks escaped from theCass County jailon Dec. 6, while awaiting sentencing on drug crimes. Focusing on both national and local topics since the early 2000s, he has produced thousands of articles analyzing the issues of the day and their impact on the American people. Rep. Mazzie Boyd, R-Hamilton, served in the Trump White House and in Georgia Republican Marjorie Taylor Greenes congressional office. It will reopen on Wed, July 5. This bullshit has to stop!!!" Its a lot more than just a place to check out books, Bowman said. The program is free and open to the public. The rhetoric these lawmakers are using to describe these books is being deployed to alarm constituents and suggest that there is material in schools and libraries that is objectionable. Missouris librarians will likely challenge any drastic budget cuts, as the MLA has been organizing against right-wing threats to intellectual freedom for years. The first wave in 700-plus St. Louis-area layoffs start Aug. 25. Bowman said state funds make up about 1% of Daniel Boone Regional Librarys budget, which includes the Columbia Public Library. Notably excluded from DeSantiss wishlist are agencies like the Pentagon that fuel militarization. In an interview for a Truthout op-ed published this week, Joe Kohlburn, a former chair of MLAs Intellectual Freedom Committee, noted that the latest efforts by Republican lawmakers have galvanized librarians in ways he hasnt seen before. Beginning May 30, a new state rule could deny state funding . It hurts Missouris librarians. Our Daily Digest brings Democracy Now! Two states currently have ranked-choice voting for statewide elections. Apr 4, 2023 0 Central Library at 1301 Olive Street. According to Bowman, most libraries already have policies in place to prevent sexually explicit materials from being a part of their collections, particularly when it comes to childrens sections. There are also already systems in place that allow the public to challenge books.
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