Hey everyone,
We've felt it best to take advantage of the "heat of the moment" and have sent our letters to Platte and Clay counties asking them to rescind their appointments of the problem board members. I'll post copies of these letters at the end of this update.
Lastly, before you read the templates and letters we sent -- if you would like to speak directly to said board members by appearing at a meeting, you may request information about the next meeting from: board@mymcpl.org
WE NEED YOU TO WRITE IN, TOO!
It's super easy to let the decision makers know how you feel about these board members' appointments and to ask they help by rescinding them. Below is a template you can copy and paste, as well as the emails for each of the Commissioners Offices. Feel free to modify these as much as you'd like, while remaining polite.
AGAIN, THANK YOU EVERYONE, FOR MAKING YOUR VOICES HEARD!
CLAY COUNTY TEMPLATE & EMAILS:
Dear Commissioners,
My name is [[YOUR NAME HERE]] and I live in [[AREA]].
I'm writing because I love and support our local libraries. Unfortunately, an MCPL trustee appointed by your office has publicly espoused pro-censorship and anti-inclusive views.
Please rescind Michelle Wycoff's appointment on the MCPL Board of Trustees. We need dedicated public servants who will work hard for the public good and accept the role with reverence and maturity. Michelle Wycoff has made it clear she cannot serve on the board while holding views which fundamentally oppose public libraries.
I look forward to hearing back from you.
Best,
[[YOUR NAME HERE]]
Send to: jnolte@claycountymo.gov, jcarpenter@claycountymo.gov, mthompson@claycountymo.gov
******
PLATTE COUNTY TEMPLATE & EMAILS:
Dear Commissioners,
My name is [[YOUR NAME HERE]] and I live in [[AREA]].
I'm writing because I love and support our local libraries. Unfortunately, several MCPL trustees appointed by your office have publicly espoused pro-censorship and anti-inclusive views.
Please rescind Yummy Pandolfi, Michael Lazio, and Rita Wiese's appointments on the MCPL Board of Trustees. We need dedicated public servants who will work hard for the public good and accept the role with reverence and maturity. These trustees have made it clear they cannot serve on the board while holding views which fundamentally oppose public libraries.
I look forward to hearing back from you.
Best,
[[YOUR NAME HERE]]
Send to: joe.vanover@co.platte.mo.us, dagmar.wood@co.platte.mo.us, ron.schieber@co.platte.mo.us
******
The letter I Sent to Platte:
Dear Dagmar Wood, Joe Vanover, & Ron Schieber:
On behalf of many of your constituents, I am writing to ask for your help.
Several members on the Mid-Continent Public Library Board of Trustees have unfortunately, and very publicly, espoused pro-censorship and anti-inclusive sentiments antithetical to the purpose of public libraries – and in direct violation of the American Library Association’s Code of Ethics. These public behaviors (well-documented recently by KCUR and previously by The Kansas City Star) make it clear these individuals cannot serve on the Board of Trustees in good faith, let alone make sound decisions with tax-payer resources.
The public understands your office did not appoint these trustees with bad intentions, nor do they believe you desire their actions to taint your legacy of public service.
Within a week alone, 650+ people (many residing in your county, and the total number grows daily) have signed a petition asking for the removal of Yummy Pandolfi, Michael Lazio, and Rita Wiese from the MCPL Board of Trustees. We have reached out to Clay County with similar concerns.
Please, rescind these appointments and help our communities by appointing dedicated public servants who: believe in the essential good libraries provide for our democracy, understand intellectual freedom, and will show reverence and maturity in their responsibilities.
We eagerly await your reply and hope it will deter our need for next steps involving the ALA and state-level officials. We’re proud of the work you’ve done for our communities and hope you’ll make us proud again.
Below are the links to the most recent news story, the live petition (which is still growing), helpful links to ALA materials regarding intellectual freedom, and attachments of the names and public comments recorded within the last week.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
Austin Gragg & the many patrons and supporters of our public libraries
The Letter I Sent to Clay:
Dear Jerry Nolte, Jon Carpenter, & Megan Thompson:
On behalf of many of your constituents, I am writing to ask for your help.
Several members on the Mid-Continent Public Library Board of Trustees have unfortunately, and very publicly, espoused pro-censorship and anti-inclusive sentiments antithetical to the purpose of public libraries – and in direct violation of the American Library Association’s Code of Ethics. These public behaviors (well-documented recently by KCUR and previously by The Kansas City Star) make it clear these individuals cannot serve on the Board of Trustees in good faith, let alone make sound decisions with tax-payer resources.
One of these individuals was appointed by your office (though, I believe they are part of your predecessor’s legacy). The public understands your office did not appoint this trustee with bad intentions, nor do they believe you desire their actions to taint your legacy of public service.
Within a week alone, 650+ people (many residing in your county, and the total number grows daily) have signed a petition asking for the removal of Michelle Wycoff from the MCPL Board of Trustees. We would also encourage you reconsider Ronald Thiewes and others your predecessors may have appointed due to their silence and complacency in the wake of this controversy. We have also reached out to Platte County with similar concerns.
Please, rescind Wycoff’s appointment and help our communities by appointing a dedicated public servant who: believes in the essential good libraries provide for our democracy, understands intellectual freedom, and will show reverence and maturity in their responsibilities.
We eagerly await your reply and hope it will deter our need for next steps involving the ALA and state-level officials. We’re proud of the work you’ve done for our communities and hope you’ll make us proud again in reconsidering your predecessors’ choice of character.
Below are the links to the most recent news story, the live petition (which is still growing), helpful links to ALA materials regarding intellectual freedom, and attachments of the names and public comments recorded within the last week.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
Austin Gragg & the many patrons and supporters of our public libraries.