A proposed bill in the Iowa Legislature that could significantly impact how the Burlington Public Library operates is still clinging to life after being added as an amendment to another Senate bill.
The Hawk Eye reports Library Director Brittany Jacobs told the Burlington City Council that the measure would require all library materials and programs to be reviewed for age appropriateness, with final approval from the city council. Jacobs warned that if the bill becomes law, the library may have to close access to anyone under 18 while the review is conducted—a process she said could take up to a decade given the library’s collection of roughly 130,000 items.
The proposal also includes a property tax levy to support library services but would withhold those funds from libraries unable to meet the new requirements.
