The discussion began with Stone, from the OIF at ALA, addressing the legal situation and included a discussion of Wisconsin state law relative to sexually explicit material and public libraries. It was good to see the ALA physically present. One attendee brought up the Treaty of Tripoli, which generated quite a response from one board member, who used it to denounce tyranny. There were not many Bible thumpers, although one young man was concerned for the souls of the board members; another Christian mom who home schools called for the materials to be left as they were.

Some board members expressed anger, pain or disappointment at the failure of their associates to be reappointed ot the board, and I see this morning that Dan Kleinman is running a story about a ethics challenge from a WB resident re: Alderman Vrana, who, according to the library board, never spoke with them before condemning their actions — or, non-action.

I was actually impressed, by just about everyone. Unfortunately, as the board discussed their positions, and the decision they would reach became more apparent, a large number of the “Safelibraries” crowd walked out, unwilling to listen to the explanations of the library board members … who had just spent 2.5 hours listening to them.
JML