Last year I moved through my third year of commitment to Iowa Library Association (ILA) as head of the Government Affairs Committee. I hope to help spread the word and I urge you to reach out to our legislature. This year Sam Helmick has moved into that role. She has been a rock star in helping support libraries and local control through ILA. Here is her latest report.
Local Control and Fair Appropriation of Library Levy Dollars
Des Moines – The Iowa Library Association attended the HF 2442 committee meeting today in the hope of reinstating the ninety-seven library levies which have been reappropriated to the general funds of their communities and scheduled to sunset completely in FY29.
The 2023 passage of HF 718 dealt a severe blow to Iowa communities by abolishing local levies and depriving voters of their resource allocation autonomy. HF 2442 was a positive step toward rectifying unintended consequences such as diminished library services and materials, fewer operational hours, and the impending closure of small and rural libraries across the state.
“Iowans are taking the same local control hits in 2024 that we did last year,” Iowa Library Association Past President and Government Affairs Chair Sam Helmick said. “The loss of trust and authority for small communities to manage their funding structures, their referendums, and their libraries is a persistent pattern.”
At this time, funds which were successfully petitioned, balloted, and voted in to directly support library services are no longer required to support library services. Monies specifically added by the voters to resource their interests and values of library services are now placed in the general fund and will go to whatever service or project is determined by city management and council.
“The HF 718 restructuring forces hard conversations between library users and their community leaders despite all previous work to resolve the matter of library support by legal, representational means,” said Helmick.
Permitting Iowa voters to have levies for local libraries fosters civic engagement by empowering communities to directly influence resources aligned with their values and needs. The Iowa Library Association appreciates Representative Rinker’s efforts to bring this important discussion forward. Iowa Library Association is grateful for Committee Member Judge’s questions and interest to resolve the negative impacts of HF 718 to Iowa library communities. Iowa Library Association is dismayed that future discussion was tabled by Committee Members Willis and Harris.
“Iowans believe public libraries serve as community anchor institutions, promoting public safety, entrepreneurial growth, and social wellness. Iowans believe libraries enhance overall community vitality and cohesion. The state is essentially saying local voices no longer matter when it comes to how Iowans wish to build their future or spend their tax dollars,” said Helmick, “but I still hope folks will share their voices and join us for ILA Capitol Day on March 5 from 12 pm – 2 pm in the Law Library.”
In October I got 3 videos published, two on my channel and one for the Iowa Library Association. I hope you enjoy all of them. I’ve got a couple of my own and at least one more for the Iowa Library Association that will hopefully get posted during November.
Here are the videos I posted during October 2023:
1. Laura Ingalls Wilder Dugout Site Tour Walnut Grove 2022
This video started out to be part of my daily video trip diary, but a thunderstorm blew up and I didn’t have much time. I changed it into a tour of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Dugout site instead. Walk with me all over the site and get a tour of everything there is to see from Plum Creek itself to what used to be the dugout to A big rock. Then check out the video for the damage from the 2018 storm, my wading in Plum Creek video, and if you don’t want to pay admission how you can visit the highway marker for the site. Wade in Plum Creek • Going Wading in Plum Creek 2009-2010 Pa Dugout Highway Marker • To the Ingalls Dugout Memorial Stone Flood Damage • Laura’s Dugout – You Can Get There fr…
2. Walnut Grove Trip 2022, Day 3
I headed out to the Dugout Site on the Gordon Farm. You pay admission and then can go all the way to the site of the dugout and Plum Creek. There is a big storm blowing up and it hits with rain, wind, and hail. I head into town and walk over to the Masters Store and Hall. Then I say goodbye to Walnut Grove, Minnesota for this trip and head south. I make a brief stop at Blue Earth, Minnesota to visit the Jolly Green Giant. Tour of the Dugout Site: • Laura Ingalls Wilder Dugout Site Tour…
3. How to Talk to Your Legislator: An Interview With Former Representative Mary Mascher
This video doesn’t live on my YouTube channel. I made it, but it’s for the Iowa Library Association.
Former Representative Mary Mascher shows us we shouldn’t be afraid to talk to the legislators who represent us or those working on bills we’re interested in. She gives suggestions on how you can reach out and make a difference.
Sarah S. Uthoff is a nationally known Laura Ingalls Wilder authority and has presented at five of the Wilder homesites, many times at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, many conferences and numerous libraries, museums, and events around the Midwest. She is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic, and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation. How can you help? Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, look at her photos, and find her on Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn , SlideShare, and Academia.edu . Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and former director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.
This advice piece will be published on the Iowa Library Association website, but there might be some delay due to the transition of the website and I want to go ahead and get this out. I’m publishing it with permission from Mandy Easter who wrote it.
Library Advocacy Dos and Don’ts for your Legal Pickle Tickler File
By Mandy Easter, Law Librarian/Consultant, State Library of Iowa, April 2022
The February 2022 Legal Pickle Tickler File article entitled “Politicians Asking to Use the Library” addressed concerns about political activities taking place in the library—forums, debates, meet-and-greet events and even caucuses. The State Library’s consultants are fielding lots of questions right now from librarians, trustees, Friends groups and foundations about what the law allows them to do when promoting the library or library-related issues. What are the dos and don’ts of public library advocacy?
Iowa Code Chapter 68A is entitled “Campaign Finance.” Section 68.505 is entitled “Use of public moneys for political purposes” and reads, “The state and the governing body of a county, city, or other political subdivision of the state shall not expend or permit the expenditure of public moneys for political purposes, including expressly advocating for the passage or defeat of a ballot issue. This section shall not be construed to limit the freedom of speech of officials or employees…of a county, city, or other political subdivision of the state. This section also shall not be construed to prohibit the…governing body of a political subdivision of the state from expressing an opinion on a ballot issue through the passage of a resolution or proclamation.” This means that the library’s director and staff can actively campaign for the passage or defeat of a ballot issue as long as such activities are conducted away from the library and on their own time, rather than work time. Library staff and trustees can speak to community groups away from the library and outside of work time. The library board can pass an official resolution in support of a particular ballot issue. As long as the trustees do not compose a letter on public property or during public time, such as in the course of a board meeting, they can advocate for or against a referendum that directly or indirectly supports or harms the library. For instance, the president of the West Des Moines Public Library’s Board of Trustees wrote a letter to the Des Moines Register to advocate for the passage of a referendum that would benefit the library: Sales Tax Increase Will Help the Public Library.
The Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board is the state agency charged with enforcing the laws on campaign finance, lobbying and government ethics. The Board’s regulations are in Title 351 of the Iowa Administrative Code. Chapter 5 is entitled “Use of Public Resources for a Political Purpose.” Rule 5.3 defines “express advocacy” as “a communication that uses any word, term, phrase or symbol that exhorts an individual to vote for or against a clearly identified candidate or for the passage or defeat of a clearly identified ballot issue.” Again, government employees cannot expressly advocate for the passage or defeat of library-related ballot issues while working. The board’s advice to working library staff is to simply remind citizens of the date of the election and leave it at that. Sometimes libraries want to provide “unbiased information” to the public, such as a brochure that shows the fact-based effects of a levy on taxpayers, city government and the library without seeming to advocate for or against its passage. The Ethics Board cautions against providing such materials in the library proper, in order to avoid a legal challenge and the public distraction from a positive campaign.
The Ethics Board’s rules define “public resources” as “the moneys, time, property, facilities, equipment, and supplies of the executive branch of state government, a county, city, public school, or other political subdivision.” Rule 5.4 is entitled “Use of public resources for a political purpose prohibited” and says that public resources shall not be used to expressly advocate for the passage or defeat of a ballot measure. The rule goes on to say that public resources cannot be used to solicit or accept campaign contributions or votes, to engage in campaign work, or to poll voters on their preferences. Publicly-owned motor vehicles cannot be used to transport political materials, and placing campaign signs on publicly-owned vehicles or using such vehicles to travel to campaign-related events is prohibited. Public resources must not be used to produce or distribute communications that expressly advocate for or against issues—government-owned copiers, fax machines, audio or video equipment, cameras, computer hardware or software, printers, typewriters, calculators and postage meters cannot be used. Of course, government telephones, e-mail accounts and websites cannot be used, either. Placing campaign materials such as posters, brochures, flyers, yard signs or literature of any kind in government buildings or on government property—or even the public right-of-way on streets—is strictly forbidden. However, brochures may be distributed in public parking lots or placed on vehicles parked in public lots. Remember, though, that library employees may not do this kind of literature distribution on work time.
Mailing lists, including the library’s database of registered adult patrons’ addresses, may be used for political mailings, as long as the lists are provided to both sides of an issue or to any citizen group asking for them, on the same terms. In other words, if the Friends group uses the library’s database for free to advocate for the passage of a library levy, an anti-tax citizen’s group opposed to the levy must also be able to request and obtain the exact same list for free through the same process by which it was obtained by the Friends. As long as a list of library customers does not link particular customers with material or information they have requested or used, library card holders’ directory-type information is a public record open to inspection by the general public. However, this information may also be kept confidential if the library board reasonably believes that releasing the information would discourage people from applying for library cards. The board should adopt a policy on the release of this type of information.
Elected officials such as city council members and salaried administrators such as the library director or the city administrator may attend functions where they participate as speakers or panelists as part of their official duties to discuss political issues or to provide information relevant to a ballot issue without violating the law. If a library director were asked to attend a meeting of the local Rotary Club, for example, to discuss the upcoming library levy ballot issue, he or she could talk about the positive aspects of passing the levy and the plans for using the expected revenue if the initiative passes, but he or she should not expressly advocate for its passage by encouraging the group to vote for it or doing something like asking for a show of hands of attendees who support the measure.
The Ethics Board’s rules also state that while performing official duties, a public official or public employee may wear clothes or political paraphernalia, such as buttons, that expressly advocate for or against candidates or ballot issues However, the administrative head of the agency or the city may enact a policy that would prohibit the wearing of campaign materials on the public property of that agency or that city.
Officials and employees of government agencies may be members of independent citizen committees devoted to advocating for or against a ballot issue and may solicit or encourage members of the public to be part of the citizens’ committee, so long as these activities occur on personal time and off the premises of government property. Such committees may solicit and accept contributions and may expend funds to expressly advocate for or against a ballot issue. Iowa Code section 68A.102 says that any committee that accepts contributions in excess of $1000, makes expenditures in excess of $1000 or incurs indebtedness in excess of $1000 in any one calendar year to expressly advocate for a ballot issue must file a Statement of Organization as an official committee with the Ethics Board. The statute defines a “contribution” as a gift, loan, advance, deposit, rebate, refund, or transfer of money or a gift in kind, but does not include services provided without compensation by volunteers, or refreshments served at campaign functions, as long as the value of those refreshments does not exceed $50. Even if the committee does not meet the $1000 benchmark, it still must print “Paid for by…” on all its materials.
Iowa Code section 68A.405 is entitled “Attribution Statement on Published Material” and says that the words ‘paid for by,’ and then the name and address of the organization, followed by the name of one officer of the organization, shall appear on the material. However, this does not apply to bumper stickers, pens, buttons, matchbooks, tee-shirts, caps, or clothing. You may also be interested in reading Iowa Code section 68A.406, entitled “Campaign signs—yard signs.”
What can the library put in its newsletter or on its website about a ballot issue? The Ethics Board recommends limited discussion of the issue and just a simple reminder to readers of the date of the election.
Tax-exempt organizations such as the Friends of the Library and the library foundation have to carefully limit their political and legislative activity, even if it directly contributes to the accomplishment of the group’s tax-exempt purposes. If a Friends’ or foundation’s efforts serve to support or oppose legislation or a referendum, the group is lobbying, even if members never contact a legislator and merely urge their members through a newsletter to get involved or to involve others. The law limits political and legislative activities in which tax-exempt organizations can become engaged because of the economic leverage tax-deductible charitable organizations have. It’s not surprising then that such organizations are entirely prohibited from attempting to influence elections for public office.
A Friends group can undertake legislative activity, but in a limited way. The IRS recognizes two different kinds of “advocacy.” The first is called “lobbying” and it is when the Friends group itself or its individual members work to influence policy or legislation in favor of the library. Generally speaking, a Friends group can spend up to 20% of its yearly expenditures on these activities if their annual expenditures do not exceed $500,000. The formula changes for groups spending more. The other type of “advocacy” the IRS recognizes is called “grassroots lobbying” and this is when a Friends group or library foundation works to get the general public to take a specific action on behalf of the library such as asking the public to “vote yes,” or “call the mayor.” In this case, the group can spend 25% of the 20% allotted above. Again, Friends groups may not advocate, lobby, or engage in grassroots lobbying on behalf of any candidate for office. Check both the United for Libraries’ website and the website for the IRS to see a list of acceptable political activities for 501c(3)s.
Staff members at the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board are very approachable and responsive, so if you have questions about complying with state law or even the spirit of the state’s ethical guidelines, do not hesitate to visit the Board’s website or contact staff by telephone or e-mail.
To document your professional development, mark which sessions you attended in the conference program and save it for future reference. File your CEs sheets from the conference
Write a story for your local paper or blog. I have an article with blanks for you to start from. https://bit.ly/3997AlX
Don’t just scroll by The Catalyst when it shows up in your e-mail. read it! It’s called the catalyst for a reason after all. Is something really cool happening at your library write it up and let us know!
If you want to serve on one of ILA’s Committees or offices be sure to say so when you renew. (There’s a link to a form there and always on the main page under volunteer.) HOWEVER, we don’t have openings on every committee every year so if you don’t get a position, don’t give up! ILA runs on volunteers and we’ll need you down the road. We list current openings on the volunteer page and volunteer for committees you’re really interested in.
Get ready to attend Planning Day – November 18, 2021 in Johnston, Iowa
And if you DIDN’T go to the conference this time. That is 100% fine. We hope that you’ll catch some of our digital rewind. Then we look forward to you coming next year. Still read through this list because there are some things you can still do that are positive for you AND your library!
ICPL Carnegie
Sarah S. Uthoff is a nationally known Laura Ingalls Wilder authority and has presented at five of the Wilder homesites, many times at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, many conferences and numerous libraries, museums, and events around the Midwest. She is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic, and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation. How can you help? Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, look at her photos, and find her on Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn , SlideShare, and Academia.edu . Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and former director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.
April is always a busy month for presentations and this year is no exception. I’ve also added my first program in May. Check and see if there is a program coming near you.
Lake Mills Public Library – Lake Mills, Iowa – Packing Up – April 3, 2019 – 5:30pm
Athena Club – Belle Plain, Iowa – A Long Way Home (General Laura Program) – April 8, 2019 – 6:30pm
Ottumwa Women’s Club – Ottumwa, Iowa – In the Kitchen With Laura – April 9, 2019 – 1pm
Siouxland Libraries – One Book Siouxland: Prairie Fire -Sioux Falls, South Dakota – A Long Way Home (General Laura Program) – April 14, 2019 – 3pm
Nashua Public Library – Nashua, Iowa – Packing Up – May 4, 2019 – 10:30am
Sarah S. Uthoff is a nationally known Laura Ingalls Wilder authority and has presented at five of the Wilder homesites, many times at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, many conferences and numerous libraries, museums, and events around the Midwest. She is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic, and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation. How can you help? Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast , look at her photos, and find her on Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn , SlideShare, and Academia.edu . Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and former director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.
Recently there was an effort in the Iowa General Assembly to remove the requirement that there be at least one librarian and nurse in every school district. This is being done under the ideal of local control. That is something that I also believe in to as an ideal, but there are certain times and places when the state government needs to step in to ensure something happens. There are times when people making the laws for the state may know things (through constituents reaching out) that the local school board isn’t aware of. For example, study after study proves a student in a school with an active library program and a well supported library achieves more than a student without these things. Another example of this kind is requiring certified teachers which is done on a state level, not a local level. That’s the way to think of this requirement. There are times when the state should step in and I think having a librarian and more so an information literacy program is one of them.
I’ll note here that I worked as a school librarian in two K-12 school districts. However, I’m not employed in one now and I don’t really even know many K-12 librarians any more so this isn’t about me wanting to save anyone’s job. This is about what’s best for the state in creating an educated population.
I’m happy to say the amendment was killed. Below I’m reposting with permission the statement from the Iowa Library Association about this attempt to remove librarians from our schools.
If you want to know more about this instance or about efforts to support libraries and information literacy in schools, or for support for libraries across the board a good place to start is EveryLibrary’s post and then on to the rest of their page.
This from Dan Chibnall, ILA President:
Last evening [Ed. Note: February 28, 2019], the [Iowa General Assembly] Senate Education Committee met to discuss SSB 1190, the bill that contained language striking the requirements for teacher librarians and nurses in Iowa schools. As of last night, that threat no longer exists.
During the committee meeting, Sen. Mark Lofgren proposed an amendment striking the teacher librarian and nurse language from the bill. It passed by voice vote with no opposition. The bill now goes to the full Senate but our teacher librarian colleagues are safe.
Katy Kauffman, the 2019 Iowa Association of School Librarians President, wrote a great email last night to her IASL members and I’m going to borrow a little from that here so you know who was all involved in leading these efforts. The IASL Board, Lisa Beal (IASL Advocacy Chair), Karla Krueger, Joan Taylor, Mike Wright, Zach Stier, Shannon Miller, Cara Stone, Dara Schmidt, and Amanda Vazquez. There were others too, on listservs and social media, in email threads and at the Capitol. Thank you all for your hard work.
I want to give a special shout-out to our incredible lobbyists, Craig Patterson and Amy Campbell. Without them I don’t know where we would be. Thank you so much. Also, another special shout out to EveryLibrary, who came in at the 11th hour to help us in our time of need. If you’re not familiar with them, visit their site and get to know them. Patrick “P.C.” Sweeney and John Chrastka were so helpful with language and for helping us setup on their site to get the emails rolling. They also put together this website telling the story of our victory last night. I recommend you all take a look and share it with others: https://www.saveschoollibrarians.org/a_win_in_iowa.
I cannot thank all of you enough for your incredible efforts to help make this win a reality. When I ran for ILA President years ago, I talked quite a bit about the importance of communication between librarians, libraries, and our legislators. Last night those communication efforts paid off and I was so impressed by the sheer volume of your voices, telling your stories and sticking together with your colleagues across the state. Bravo to all of you. Let’s keep those voices loud and clear for our Legislative Day on March 13th at the [Iowa] Capitol.
If you have a few minutes today, please consider emailing or calling the senators who helped us last night and thank them for their tireless work and their votes.
Jon Taffer is well known for his research of bar science on TV and in his publications. Although in many ways bars and libraries are different, they have some common goals of wanting to encourage people to walk in and to create an experience so they’ll want to come back. His methods regarding matching your neighborhood, having a consistent experience, signage, displays, and training, are all things that could also apply to libraries. This session will share examples of how libraries could and are using the ideas of bar science.
During the Iowa Library Association 2018 conference, I’m rolling out a brand new program applying what Jon Taffer teaches about bars to libraries. Look for me at a conference near you.
Sarah S. Uthoff is a nationally known Laura Ingalls Wilder authority and has presented at five of the Wilder homesites, many times at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, many conferences and numerous libraries, museums, and events around the Midwest. She is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic, and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation. How can you help? Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, look at her photos, and find her on Facebook , Twitter , Google+, LinkedIn , SlideShare, and Academia.edu . Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and former director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.
We’ve got 3 presentations this month back to back so if you are near northwestern Iowa stop on by!
Orange City Public Library – Orange City, IA – A Long Way Home (General Laura Program) – August 16, 2018 – 3:00 pm
Marcus Public Library – Marcus, IA – A Long Way Home (General Laura Program) – August 16, 2018 – 6:30pm
Paullina Public Library – Paullina, IA – A Long Way Home (General Laura Program) – August 17, 2018 – 10:00am
Sarah S. Uthoff is a nationally known Laura Ingalls Wilder authority and has presented at five of the Wilder homesites, many times at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, many conferences and numerous libraries, museums, and events around the Midwest. She is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic, and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation. How can you help? Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, look at her photos, and find her on Facebook , Twitter , Google+, LinkedIn , SlideShare, and Academia.edu . Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and former director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.
It’s been big news that the ALSC Laura Ingalls Wilder Award will be renamed in reputation of Laura’s works and her life. The basic story has been an international sensation from the United Kingdom to Denmark to all around the world.
Based on a couple of comments a few people have made to me online they expect this post to include a discussion of whether their complaints are valid or not. That is worth debating, but frankly, in this context I don’t think it matters. What is being debated right now is NOT whether there are there negative elements to the books, but if the large positive impact they have had on people and the culture as a whole should be ignored and denigrated.
The removal of the name is a slap in the face, not only for Laura herself, but also to a large part of American pop culture. Laura Ingalls Wilder is one of the biggest archetypes in our culture. Don’t believe me? Try to find anything pop culture that doesn’t include references to Laura. Major snow storm/power outage – it’s like we’re Laura Ingalls Wilder. Modest dress – it’s like I’m Laura Ingalls Wilder, Literally anything about social history in any location and any time period – hey, it’s just like Laura Ingalls Wilder, anything at all having to do with picnics or camping – it’s just like Little House on the Prairie!
So why focus on this now? Don’t librarians have real problems like dropping budgets, raising numbers of visitors (yes raising), and training necessities? Of course they do! But a very real problem is that so many people today can’t find themselves in children’s books. It truly is ridiculous that in an age of so much political correctness that the children’s books industry and product are less than diverse. (Frankly looking at some of the books from today versus the 1970s I’m not sure it isn’t getting worse instead of better.) That is worth a blog post on its own and more. This is an issue that needs addressed with what the ALA normally does – recommends more books, more voices. Instead they decided the best thing they could do was something symbolic that would do nothing to make children’s literature more diverse – they can repudiate Laura.
What is the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award?
The Laura Ingalls Wilder Award – also referred to as the Wilder Medal – was given as a lifetime achievement award by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). The American Library Association is the BIG, national professional organization for librarians. (Think of the ALA as the librarian equivalent of American Medical Association without nearly as many teeth.) Among other things the ALA organization, either as a whole or as a division, gives awards mostly for authors and books. The two you have probably heard of before are the Caldecott Award for picture book illustration and the Newbery Award for chapter books.
1954 was a big year for Laura as the books came out under an entirely different redesign (by Helen Gentry) using the illustrations of Garth Williams. The ALSC joined the applause by creating a lifetime achievement award, making Laura the first recipient and having Williams design the medal that went with the award. (ALA awards tend to come with literal medals that can then also be used as a design element or sticker on further editions of the book.) From then until now the award has been given out to a wide range of children’s books authors.
Why Aren’t I As Upset As I Thought I’d Be?
So last February out of nowhere the ALSC announced they were going to start a “discussion” about changing the award’s name. I knew right then that the discussion would consist of them requesting input and then changing the name. That’s just how things go in the ALA (disclosure I’ve been a member on and off since library school). It’s a very top down organization and if the top had announced that changing it was a possibility it was going to be changed.
However, when I heard the news I wasn’t as upset as I thought I should be. I asked myself, “Why?” and I realized it didn’t really matter. Frankly, they had already diluted the original intent to the point that who cares about it? It was originally designed to be the equivalent of the special Oscar that Walt Disney was awarded for Snow White (specially made that has the one large Oscar and then 7 little Oscars scaled down to represent the dwarfs) – complete to the special and uniquely designed award dedicated to its first recipient. However, this hasn’t been the case for a long, long time. To go back to the Oscar reference there are sometimes amazing actors, actresses, and directors who never received one despite their storied status. A lot of things can prevent that recognition with an award, who they were up against, temper of the times, performing in comedies or work that as a whole isn’t deemed Oscar worthy, etc. So they have a lifetime achievement award, now called an “Honorary Oscar,” to correct such oversights. That was supposed to be the same type of thing — but for children’s book authors and/or illustrators.
The Wilder Award was supposed to carry weight because of its rareness, but that didn’t last long. Between 1960 and 1980 it was only given out once every 5 years, between 1980 and 2001 every 3 years, between 2002 and 2015 every other year, and since 2016 every single year. In fact one of the reasons given that they had to rename the current award instead of closing this and starting a new one was to ensure the status of next year’s award because you couldn’t possibly have a year without one. Now instead of being the province of the rarest of the rare it’s just another annual book award. The requirement has always been that a lasting legacy has been made by that author for their body of work with the expectation that this would be an end of career kind of award. Now it’s mostly just another award to pick up when you are prominent. (Scroll to the bottom for an archived version of requirements as I believe they will be changed as part of the rename.) Here is the information the website for the award before it was updated by this decision. At this point the medal already was not longer the tribute it was intended to be, so who really cares?
Irony Number 1 – Taking Back An Apology
This really has come 360 degrees. One reason Laura was never allowed to win the top ALSC award for chapter books, the Newbery medal, was that she only wrote series books. And that was considered beneath the DIGNITY and IMPORTANCE of serious children’s fiction. That smacked of trade and was something to be looked down on. She was just a Midwestern farm wife, what did she know about LITERATURE. She did have a fairly regular seat in the honor books (the runner ups) for the last part of her series – after the public let the ALA know about the impact she had, but never a win. So a big part of why Laura, why then was a mea culpa on the organization’s part. So they are not only changing the award, they are taking back the apology, pushing the books back into the realm of the unacceptable. (I do want to be clear that although some of those comments might sound like they were quotes from the time period they are not, they are just summing up the attitudes I’ve found documented in terms of Laura and children’s literature and librarianship of the time in general.) Once again the leaders of the organization are pointing out that she’s just a Midwestern farm wife who isn’t “with it” “out there” or “woke” that just describes her own time and place in her writing and isn’t worthy of reading.
Irony Number 2 – Award Only Known For Wilder Connection
The ALA is the organization that focuses on defending books. An entire division is dedicated to Banned Books Week. It reports attempts – both successful and not – to remove books with nothing short of derision. The fact that you have a problem with a book does not mean it’s not the right book for some reader. You don’t get to decide what someone else gets to read. Not this time.
They actually saw this criticism coming. Scroll down to rationale. They say “Additionally, changing the name of the award, or ending the award and establishing a new award, does not prohibit access to Wilder’s works or suppress discussion about them.” To some extent they are right in that frankly the name of the award will have very little impact on whether someone will read Laura’s books or not. In fact this fanfare of publicity might actually encourage some people to who haven’t read them yet to do so. However, by changing this name they are doing the most in their power – short of actually erasing the history of the award off their website all together – to make sure people don’t read them. They are saying these books aren’t something that should be read and respected. That the most in their power is so weak should not be an excuse for exercising it.
(As a side note, only legal agreements kept them from also repudiating the Geisel Award at this time. Watch out Dr. Seuss! They’re coming for you too! Honestly did any of these papers do more than read the press release? This was surely worth a paragraph in any story about the name change.)
Irony Number 3 – Mainly a Problem Because Laura is Still Read
While this was a slap in the face to Laura, it was also a kind of backhanded complement. The whole reason they’re doing this is because people still read Laura’s books and know who she is. The other two ALSC awards you might know about are the Caldecott Medal for picture books (named for famed nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph J. Caldecott who happened to die in America) the Newbery Medal (named for and eighteenth-century English bookseller John Newbery). They and other named awards are relatively safe from attack because when was the last time you read something of theirs? Did you have any idea who Caldecott or Newbery were before I just told you? But Laura you know, Dr. Seuss you know so they come under scrutiny.
If you won the Wilder award, you got a lovely medal and you presented a speech at the ALA conference that was recorded and sold by the ALA store (I have a collection of them) and reprinted in library magazines. After that future articles about you might include the phrase Wilder Medal winner…… That’s pretty much it. I follow the story of this medal with interest, but I fully believe that the small percentage of the general population who knows or cares anything about this award is because it’s named for Laura. It was a tribute to them to be associated with Laura’s name and if they don’t realize it, then they don’t deserve it.
Once this flurry has calmed down I feel I can safely say this will be the last time you ever hear a full sentence about this award ever again in any publication or news article outside of library or publishing industry journals. Expect to hear, “…and the Children’s Literature Legacy Award went to so and so” as part of a longer sentence. It never did have any impact on sales, on reading, on anything related except for people maybe taking notice when they heard Laura’s name to hear who won it. Outside the people who gave it and those who received it, no one cares about this award.
A typical example of a Wilder Medal reference in an article about a recipient. This example is from an article on Russell Freedman (if you haven’t read his stuff, do).
So What Can You Do?
Absolutely nothing. The ALA is a professional organization, which political actions aside, provides the normal professional organization status. There definitely reasons not to be a member, but if you can afford it there are professional benefits to belonging. This is not going to be the straw that broke the camel’s back. You’re not going to see people rushing to quit or join the ALSC or its parent the ALA based on this.
The only pressure that could be brought to bear is that of public opinion and hearing that the general public disapproves will only convince them they are right. Petitions, etc will only cause people with the power to change it to become more convinced that they are making a courageous stand to get the truth about these books out there. They aren’t trying to sell a product to the general public so what the general public thinks about their actions has no direct effect on them. Back when this first came out as a possibility I contacted the person listed as contact person on the award page. I asked them how ALA members not part of the children’s literature division or the general public could comment as part of the input. He didn’t know anything about it, but would get back with me. Still waiting. Complain online, write them letters, call the office. Feel free to let them know how you feel, but understand this going in. They don’t care.
And If Anybody Cares….
The newly renamed award is the Children’s Literature Legacy Award. Be very confident that you will never, ever hear of it again.
And for the record I contacted them (see above) because I thought I’d get questions about it online or at my programs – I didn’t – because nobody knows about this award and if not for the insult, nobody would care.
UPDATED July 10 2018: Also, check out Visit the Original Wilder Medal. Also note that Document 25 which was the committees recommendation that I refer to several times and link to has been removed. Sadly it also is not available through the Internet Archive.
Sarah S. Uthoff is a nationally known Laura Ingalls Wilder authority and has presented at five of the Wilder homesites, many times at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, many conferences and numerous libraries, museums, and events around the Midwest. She is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic, and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation. How can you help? Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, look at her photos, and find her on Facebook , Twitter , Google+, LinkedIn , SlideShare, and Academia.edu . Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and former director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.
We’re at the start of the new year and requests for programs are coming in!
If you’d like to see me in person, tell your local library, museum, conservation center, or service group. Still on the fence? Here’s an example of one of my programs. It’s a shortened version of my Christmas program.
Funding
If you are in Iowa, I suggest you look into funding my program through a Humanities Iowa grant. It’s just a little half page form and you can have me speak for $50 (depending on location overnight accommodations might also be required separately). You don’t have to go through a Humanities Iowa Speakers Bureau grant, but it is such a good deal that I strongly recommend it for programs in Iowa that qualify. I am also available to speak out of state.
Booking a Program
Presenting at Ottumwa
1. Decide roughly what you want me to do. Do you have a program in mind? Read all about my possible programs. Are you thinking about extras like handouts or crafts? How long do you want me to be there outside of the program (for example if it’s an event do you want me to circulate awhile before the presentation and drum up interest?)? Also, do you want me for one program or more?
2. Contact me and set up a date. We both have to agree on a date and time that works for both of us.
3. Price depends on exactly where you want me to go and what you want me to do. Please contact me so we can discuss the details. For programs NOT through Humanities Iowa normally I charge $200 a program with 40 cents a mile mileage, but exact charges can depend on the answers to number 1 above. You can talk with me for suggestions for funding.
Uthoff dressed as 1930s by Cottonwood Tree at Memorial Site in De Smet SD
Qualifying for a Humanities Iowa Grant
As a member of the Humanities Iowa Speakers Bureau, I am pre-approved for their community group grants. That can be libraries, schools, museums, and other civic organizations or groups. Find a list of requirements at the link above, but basically you need to be located in Iowa and have a program aimed at either adults or families. Children only groups are not approved, but I’ve had approvals for groups that met within a school or had school groups come too as long as you also reach out to the public to come to the event. Be sure to specify how you will do that on the grant application.
Please note that you do NOT have to fill out the full grant application that is located under the Grants tab on their homepage for the Speakers Bureau.
If your group’s event is approved, you pay $50 and Humanities Iowa will cover most other expenses. (Extra costs might apply when an overnight stay is necessary, for supplies if you choose to add an optional craft, etc.) For more information check their webpage.
Or contact them at: Humanities Iowa
100 LIB RM 4039
Iowa City, IA 52242-1420
Storytelling
Sarah S. Uthoff is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales striving to bring the History, Mystery, Magic and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation. Uthoff is a nationally known Laura Ingalls Wilder authority and has presented at five of the Wilder homesites, many conferences and numerous libraries, museums, and events around the Midwest. Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, and find her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, and Academia.edu. Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.
Sarah's Notebook 