An Iowa public library roiled by book banning debate temporarily closes with no director

A small town Iowa library caught in a national debate over LGBTQ-themed books is once again without a director and will operate under limited hours after a brief shut down.

The Vinton Public Library closed earlier this month following the resignation of interim library director Colton Neely, but it is slated to reopen Monday. The library board decided to work with part-time staff members to reopen the library for four hours a day Monday through Friday.

Neely accepted the position in June following the resignation of former director Renee Greenlee. Greenlee left after only six months on the job. She faced criticism over the hiring of LGBTQ employees and certain books in the library. Critics also accused her and other library officials of pushing a partisan agenda.

The circumstances around Greenlee's and Neely's resignations put Vinton — a rural town of 5,000 located about 112 miles northeast of Des Moines — in the middle of a national debate about what books children should have access to in public schools and libraries.

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The American Library Association (ALA) keeps track of challenges and bans across the country, and the most recent data is alarming. In 2021, the ALA recorded 729 book challenges targeting 1,597 titles. That’s more than double 2020’s figures and the highest number since the organization began recording data in 2000.

A recent analysis by PEN America found that many challenged books focus on communities of color, the history of racism in America and LGBTQ characters. One in three books restricted by school districts in the past year featured LGBTQ themes or characters.

Despite the ongoing conflict, the library and its board have continued to see public support from residents and organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa.

"Public libraries were founded on the principle of making ideas and information available to all, regardless of income or geography. Libraries like the one in Vinton have an important role in the community," said Mark Stringer, ACLU of Iowa executive director, in a statement Wednesday.

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Right now the board is focusing on reopening the library.

"It's never a good circumstance to close a library and what people view as an essential community resource," said Jimmy Kelly, library board chair.

Neely — who left to take a position with a museum — decided to leave because he and his partner were feeling the strain of what was happening at the library, and the ongoing controversy over books and employees.

He considered applying for the director's position but was told he did not have enough experience. Neely has twice served as interim director.

"I felt like nobody was really giving me that support," Neely said in an interview with the Des Moines Register, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Neely, an openly gay man, recalled there was pushback when he was hired about two years ago as the children's librarian. Over the years, the vitriol has worn him down.

Kelly admitted the discrimination and harassment employees regularly faced in recent years has been lost in the discussion over how the Vinton Library is run.

The board has tried to educate residents on how the library is required to follow the equal opportunity law when it comes to hiring people, he said. That will continue moving forward.

"We're really hoping that we can find somebody in our search for a director to meet the needs of the library and community," Kelly said.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Banned books debate closes Iowa public library; LGBTQ books targeted