“We can’t lose one more thing,” said DeeAnn Bierstedt emphatically, as I sat around a table with library advocates in Fenton, Iowa, population 250ish, in Kossuth County.
Yes! Isn't the new Cleveland Park Library wonderful! I enjoyed the old one as well. We rented a house a few blocks away and it was my library when I was in Washington.
I've stopped in to many rural community libraries over the years to do some work using their free to patrons internet. It's not free internet. Someone is paying for it and it's worth the investment.
And those free services in our rural communities have to be paid for. USDA under Secretary Vilsack made historic investments in making sure we as a nation were investing in rural communities so they had the resources to provide these services. Thanks for all you and Tom have done to support rural America, especially rural Iowa which is particularly important to my family.
I’ve given presentations and workshops in so many fabulous small town Iowa libraries. They provide so many services for communities. We need to lift them up and praise them for all they do.
"You all know how these things happen if you’ve ever lived in a small place. Someone hears something, and within hours the whole town (in this case, the whole county) knows or thinks they do."
Algona native and former NW Iowa resident here now living in Kansas City. That news made it down here just as fast, as well as what the state legislature was doing to other libraries throughout the state. Good to hear that there were some library victories.
Headed back home next weekend and you’ve inspired me to revisit my first library. Many fond memories in that wonderful building. Thank you @mariannefons for the reshare.
In my city a long time retirement home with 200plus residents discovered their library would not be replaced during the 2 yr build up and remodel. Same reasoning as the county supervisors in your report “No one reads books, everyone’s on their computers”.
In a retirement home with aged population. I would like to meet with the architect!
Most small towns don’t have a historical museum. Libraries become that source of a town’s history. They can also be a safe after school space for children. Lovely article!
To your point here’s the note on the New London Public Library last night just down the road from you as tornados were threatening.
The library is closed however we left the front door unlocked and the side door that leads down to the basement for anyone who needs to take shelter. After the storm passes we will go back and lock the doors back up for the night. Stay safe everyone!
Interesting. This piece reminded me that in urban areas libraries can serve the purpose of turning neighborhoods into small towns. The Cleveland Park library in DC increasingly is a community center as much as its traditional library role.
Thanks for this....Fenton, like so many towns, just can't lose one more thing!
Yes! Isn't the new Cleveland Park Library wonderful! I enjoyed the old one as well. We rented a house a few blocks away and it was my library when I was in Washington.
Public libraries are places where everyone can feel welcome and get services they need. Thanks for being an advocate.
I've stopped in to many rural community libraries over the years to do some work using their free to patrons internet. It's not free internet. Someone is paying for it and it's worth the investment.
A library with free internet and computers or tablets creates the campfire of the 21st Century. We have to preserve it. Thanks for reading!
And those free services in our rural communities have to be paid for. USDA under Secretary Vilsack made historic investments in making sure we as a nation were investing in rural communities so they had the resources to provide these services. Thanks for all you and Tom have done to support rural America, especially rural Iowa which is particularly important to my family.
What a great story about my home town. Lots of smart, organized people in the community. It makes me very proud of them.
I’ve given presentations and workshops in so many fabulous small town Iowa libraries. They provide so many services for communities. We need to lift them up and praise them for all they do.
"You all know how these things happen if you’ve ever lived in a small place. Someone hears something, and within hours the whole town (in this case, the whole county) knows or thinks they do."
Algona native and former NW Iowa resident here now living in Kansas City. That news made it down here just as fast, as well as what the state legislature was doing to other libraries throughout the state. Good to hear that there were some library victories.
Thanks Gordon! There will be more victories if the people in small places take notes on how Fenton resisted and educated their elected officials.
Hello Christie.
I know you don't know me but something in your response to a comment I made to your Substack led to this.
"People in small places"
https://open.substack.com/pub/gordonschenck/p/people-in-small-places?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r
=w0xok
Headed back home next weekend and you’ve inspired me to revisit my first library. Many fond memories in that wonderful building. Thank you @mariannefons for the reshare.
In my city a long time retirement home with 200plus residents discovered their library would not be replaced during the 2 yr build up and remodel. Same reasoning as the county supervisors in your report “No one reads books, everyone’s on their computers”.
In a retirement home with aged population. I would like to meet with the architect!
Most small towns don’t have a historical museum. Libraries become that source of a town’s history. They can also be a safe after school space for children. Lovely article!
To your point here’s the note on the New London Public Library last night just down the road from you as tornados were threatening.
The library is closed however we left the front door unlocked and the side door that leads down to the basement for anyone who needs to take shelter. After the storm passes we will go back and lock the doors back up for the night. Stay safe everyone!
Thank you for highlighting Fenton and the need in small communities. Loved the personal angle.
Fenton is a role model for other small places who risk losing their funding.
Thanks for being an advocate for libraries.
Interesting. This piece reminded me that in urban areas libraries can serve the purpose of turning neighborhoods into small towns. The Cleveland Park library in DC increasingly is a community center as much as its traditional library role.
I love this. We live in rural Indiana, and it seems as if "they" are coming for us from all directions.
Yes, but we can resist and educating people is the best way to do it. Thanks for reading and responding.