By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

Library lovers, while many of you are lovers of fiction, it probably is also good to read up on current events and nonfiction occasionally. For example, you might want to take a few minutes and read a couple of the proposed bills that, if passed, will impact the way our public libraries operate in Iowa. 

These bills are presently at the subcommittee stage. HF284 and SF238 are companion bills in the House and the Senate that are focused on taking away Enrich Iowa funding for libraries that pay dues to organizations that engage in advocacy work — such as the Iowa Library Association. This legislation would impact the ability of libraries across the state to benefit from professional organizations such as the Iowa Library Association, the Association of Small and Rural Libraries, and the American Association of Law Libraries. These professional associations help bring millions of dollars in library aid to Iowa from the federal government. They also offer grant opportunities and professional development to libraries and library workers and improve services provided by libraries. Penalizing libraries or library employees from joining or participating in the activities of a professional organization goes against the values of free thought, inquiry and the collective improvement of our society.

Other proposed bills to pay attention to regarding our libraries are SF235 and HF 274 (which has been renumbered to HF 521). These bills are entitled “A bill for an act relating to obscenity exemptions for public libraries and educational institutions.” This bill restricts free speech and access to information and allows the state to ban books and other materials from libraries and schools that have educational and cultural value. This bill strips citizens of their right to a library free from censorship. 

Take the time to research these bills and understand their implications. Reaching out through email or phone calls to your state senators and representatives can significantly impact their decision-making if you feel strongly about these proposed bills; your voice matters. In Guthrie Center, your state representative is Carter Nordman for District 19, and Jesse Green serves as your state senator. We truly value your commitment to advocating for our library and making a difference in our community.

Upcoming events

Our preschool Story Hour meets every Friday morning at 10 a.m. Grandparents will be the theme for Feb. 28. March 10 story hour will explore “green.” Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day is the focus of March 14. Preschoolers will learn about the alphabet on March 21 and bugs on March 28.

Friends of the Library will meet on Monday, March 3 at 6:15 p.m. The group will be discussing future fundraisers and library grants. Come out and join us to support our library.

Stop by to pick up the March books for our book clubs. Reads Well With Others, (meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 5 p.m.) the evening book club will be reading a thriller by Chris Whitaker entitled “All the Colors of the Dark.” 1975 is a time of change in America. The Vietnam War is ending. Muhammad Ali is fighting Joe Frazier. And in the small town of Monta Clare, Missouri, girls are disappearing. When the daughter of a wealthy family is targeted, the most unlikely hero emerges — Patch, a local boy, who saves the girl, and, in doing so, leaves heartache in his wake. A missing person mystery, a serial killer thriller, a love story and a unique twist on each, Chris Whitaker has written a novel about what lurks in the shadows of obsession and the blinding light of hope.

Between the Covers, (meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 3 p.m.) the afternoon book club, will be reading “The Secret Book of Flora Lea” by Patti Callahan Henri. In 1939 during WWII, sisters Hazel and Flora are sent from London to the countryside to be safe from bombings, but then the unthinkable happens. Flora disappears. Years later, Hazel discovers a rare book that tells the story of an imaginary world that Hazel had created as a child to entertain her sister, Flora, the only person with whom she shared the stories. As Hazel embarks on a feverish quest, revisiting long-dormant relationships and bravely opening wounds from her past, her career and future hang in the balance. An astonishing twist ultimately reveals the truth in this transporting and refreshingly original novel about the bond between sisters, the complications of conflicted love and the enduring magic of storytelling.

Both books are available for checkout at the library. Stop in and pick one up.

Cookbook Club, which will be on Thursday, March 20, will be choosing recipes from Ina Garten’s “Barefoot Contessa Cookbook.” If you would like to be at the meeting, be sure to stop in the library to choose a recipe to prepare and bring to the meeting to share with the group.