Illinois Library Alliance

The Mississippi Valley Library District faces a growing number of challenges to its collection and services from a very vocal, small group of individuals who seek to impose their own religious or moral beliefs on others in the community. These newest board members have: - Promoted censorship of materials (library board president removed materials from a library display) - Recently voted to limit public comment in an effort to silence the concerned residents - Past board meeting videos and FOIA's have revealed anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-inclusion rhetoric and discrimination against a library staff member by a new board member Citizens should remain vigilant against any form of government overreach that manipulates public libraries for political agendas. Libraries serve as beacons of free thought and knowledge, and their integrity must be protected from partisan influences that threaten to undermine their role as unbiased resources for the community.