Censorship plan by ImagineIF Library trustees exposed
If you care about the library, you’re going to want to read this article by the Flathead Beacon.
When three ImagineIF Library trustees made it clear that they wanted the power to remove books from the collection, we wondered what was going on behind the scenes. Comments and actions they made during public meetings seemed to indicate that they had been planning strategies together, which is in violation of open meetings laws.
Now we have more of the story. Quotes from their own emails and texts appear to show that three current library trustees – Heidi Roedel, Doug Adams, and David Ingram – tried to bypass library policies in order to impose their personal beliefs on the library.
There’s a lot to digest here, but here are some of the most concerning revelations:
Clear violations of open meeting rules, which County Commissioner Randy Brodehl should have known
Open disregard for learning about library trustee responsibilities
Obvious hostility from the trustees toward staff
Suggestions that the library should be closed and staff laid off
Calling a state library professional an “idiot” and suggesting that a religious-based library resource should be used instead
Plotting book censorship and policy changes before a book challenge was filed
Interference by Brodehl in library board work by suggesting that the trustees needed to “fix this” (implying that the books Lawn Boy and Gender Queer needed to be removed), before a book challenge was made
Suggesting that all graphic novels be removed from the library
Making budget cuts that made it harder to find qualified library director candidates
County commissioners replacing dedicated and experienced library trustees with agenda-driven candidates
What can you do?
Please take a few minutes to write another email to the library trustees and county commissioners. It doesn’t have to be long (2-3 sentences is fine), but they need to know that you expect library trustees to act according to library policies and Montana law.
Library trustees should support access to information and the First Amendment, not censorship. It is alarming to read how eager the trustees were to gain the power to control which books people could read.
Three trustees texting or emailing together constitutes a quorum, which requires an open meeting with proper public notice. Why were the trustees violating this basic rule?
Trustees and county commissioners should not be forcing their personal beliefs or literary preferences on library patrons and staff. The library is open to every person, regardless of their beliefs or interests.
Flathead Valley residents have no confidence in trustees whose email and texts seem to show a plan to drive good staff members out of the library.
Contact information
County commissioners/administrators
Phone number for all County Commissioners - 406-758-5503
Randy Brodehl - rbrodehl@flathead.mt.gov
Brad Abell - babell@flathead.mt.gov
Pam Holmquist - pholmquist@flathead.mt.gov
If you have time, please send similar emails to the county administrator and county attorney to tell them that removing books from the library is censorship, and the unprofessional and questionable behavior of the library trustees could trigger a lawsuit.
County administrator Pete Melnick - pmelnick@flathead.mt.gov
County attorney Travis R. Ahner - County.Attorney@flathead.mt.gov
Library
Email that will reach all library trustees - librarytrustees@imagineiflibraries.org
Anti-tax library trustees are Heidi Roedel (chair), Doug Adams, and David Ingram.
Experienced trustees are Connie Leistiko and Marsha Sultz
Questions? Please email info@loveliveshereflathead.org.