T-R PHOTO BY LANA BRADSTREAM Marshalltown Public Library Youth Services Manager Joa LaVille tells members about legislation raising concerns among library staff during the annual meeting of the Friends of the Library on Sunday. The concerns are primarily for legislation around city and library funding, taking control of libraries from boards and whether or not certain books will be allowed.

The times are “terrifying” right now, according to Marshalltown Public Library Director Sarah Rosenblum. That is what she told the members of the Friends of the Library at the annual meeting Sunday night.

One of the reasons Rosenblum said that is the concern over state legislation. Last year was tough for cities and libraries after levies were taken away.

“I don’t know what’s going to come out of this year,” Rosenblum said.

Youth Services Manager Joa LaVille told the members a bill was introduced last year which would move control of libraries from boards to city councils, removing autonomy for library boards. She said the bill would be brought back to this year’s Iowa Legislature session.

Rosenblum said they also expect to see some changes toward public libraries, similar to what happened with public school libraries. She said the state of South Dakota zeroed out state support for public libraries and would not be surprised if Gov. Kim Reynolds follows suit, if South Dakota’s move is considered successful. They also would not be surprised to see federal cuts for public libraries.

“It is very terrifying. I won’t lie,” Rosenblum said. “It’s very terrifying what we’re looking at.”

She said that if members see legislators Rep. David Blom (R-Marshalltown) and Sen. Kara Warme (R-Ames), they should express concerns over library and city funding.

LaVille said there might be a bill addressing youth books which contain obscenities. However, she said the definition of obscene was not outlined. She stressed, as a youth librarian, there is no agenda to get children to read specific books.

“Our job is to meet what is being requested by the youth and families,” she said.

Rosenblum also told the members two major interior library projects, totaling $1.2 million, will be started in 2025. The first is a long-awaited project at the end of the building to create more interior space.

“We’re going to create a board room, some study rooms and we’re looking to increase some kind of room that will be used for everything from casual conversation to supervised visits,” Rosenblum said. “That is a project we will definitely start this year. It may spill over into next year, depending on the project.”

The other is interior renovations and updating the 16-year-old technology in the community meeting room. Rosenblum said they will upgrade to digital technology which will be more user friendly.

“We’re hoping to work with a local contractor, but we do have to go out to bid, following city policy,” she said. “The Friends will transfer the money to the city. It will sit in the library’s gift account and then the city will pay it out to the contractor.”

Rosenblum said they are working with FEH Design which built the library and on school projects.

Before the Friends of the Library annual meeting was adjourned, President Jeff Hutton encouraged members and others in the community, to speak up for the library, its board of trustees and its staff. He said they have faced a lot of unnecessary criticism during the past two years.

“I would encourage any of you, especially in light of what’s happening, to speak out for the library, for Sarah, for the staff,” he said. “Most of us know just how well the library performs. . . I think it’s a very vocal minority that goes after the board, Sarah and the staff, but if you feel compelled, please speak up, offer some push back to these people because I don’t think they quite understand the value of this library.”

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Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.