We ask that the Vinton City Council and Benton County Board of Supervisors issue a public statement of support for the Vinton Public Library, the upholding of the Library Bill of Rights and the upholding of the Freedom to Read Statement.

In the last two years, the Vinton Public Library staff have been subjected to complaints, harassment, pressure to censor books authored by or containing characters from the LGBTQIA+ community.  The actions of a small number of individuals in the community have resulted in the loss of three dedicated, highly qualified and creative directors who breathed life into the library's collection, programs and services. 

What happened in Vinton has become an international news story, casting a dark shadow on the reputation of our community.  

We ask that our elected officials take a stand, lead the way as we reclaim our city.  

We say without equivocation that we support the Vinton Public Library.  We support upholding the Library Bill of Rights.  We support upholding the Freedom to Read Statement.  We believe that a person's right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background or views.

CNN Story​

NPR Interview​

Cedar Rapids Gazette Article