Check this page to stay informed about legislation and events related to Libraries.
Library Bills Currently in Process
This bill would change the independence of library boards in the state of Iowa, removing their authority and making them advisory.
- Eliminates independence of library boards
- Requires cities to absorb library administrative, financial, oversight and policy authority on July 1, 2026, effectively mandating an overnight transition.
- Requires gifts, devises, and bequests made to or for the benefit of a library to be accepted, held, and expended under the authority of the city council, creating increased liability and donor responsibility for city councils.
- Removes voter approval requirements before altering library board authority.
- Consolidates power in elected positions, increasing the risk of politicizing decisions about library materials.
- Gives elected officials the final say on library materials challenges.
This bill creates a standard for age-appropriate materials defined as “topics and messages suitable to particular ages based on developing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral capacity typical for the age.”
- The definition is broad and subjective.
- Requires libraries to restrict materials in a manner that would be logistically challenging or impossible, depending on library size, staffing, and physical floorplan/constraints.
This bill ties city funding to content-based restrictions.
- Libraries that do not comply with the new age-appropriate standards would lose access to all public funding, including both state and local.
- Creates instability for libraries around funding.
This bill weakens current confidentiality of library records code.
- Ends confidentiality of minor records from parents and guardians.
- Requires libraries to make determinations on potentially complex custodial arrangements and retain information about non-users.
Things to Note:
- Libraries already have policies for collection development and parental oversight.
- Librarians are already making decisions about collections based on age-appropriateness. This bill would replace professional knowledge with political decisions.
- This erodes local control and gives oversight to an elected body, not library trustees.
HF 2324 Public Library/School Agreements
Successor to HSB 636
Advocacy
The Library is grateful for the support of our community. The purpose of this page is to outline resources to promote the importance and value of the Library. These tools have been compiled to make it as easy as possible to share your support for the library with your friends, family, and community.
Advocacy helps to:
- Inform public library users and the community about library services and their value
- Demonstrate how public library services improve the lives of people in the community
- Ensure libraries have resources to continue offering these important services
- Secure a place at the table for library leaders where important funding and policy decisions are made
Why is Advocacy Important?
Library advocacy is important because it ensures we continue to have the means necessary to serve as a vital community resource supporting all community members. Regular and consistent advocacy with stakeholders means there is a greater chance of being top of mind when important decisions are being made.
We hope this toolkit will offer you the resources needed to advocate for the Library. Some examples of the messages we hope you will share:
- “The Library is a vital community hub that fosters lifelong learning, promotes literacy, and provides equal access to information for all residents.”
- “The library offers free resources, programs, and services that support education, professional development, and personal growth, contributing to a thriving community.”
- “Investing in the Library is an investment in our community’s future, as it enhances quality of life, promotes economic development, and strengthens social cohesion.”