Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment Literacy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public commenters urge greater library engagement on literacy, discuss race and mentorship
Summary
During public comment at the May 22 meeting, residents spoke about literacy, black mental health, mentorship and the need for family engagement with Iowa schools and libraries.
Several members of the public used the May 22 public comment period to urge the board to support literacy and to describe local concerns about parenting, preparation for school and mentorship.
A resident who identified himself as Warren said he had submitted material to the library director and outlined concerns about black mental health and education. He told the trustees, “As a United States Marine Corps veteran, it's the violence that is now prevalent in parts of Iowa still has nothing to do with white people. It has everything to do with black mothers who do not prepare their children who live in a company alone.” He also said library volunteers and trustees were “doing the best you can as a volunteer board to advance literacy in Johnson County” but added, “we cannot force black mothers to bring their children to the library to learn to read to change their lives.”
University of Iowa graduate Jackson Mullins said he was trying to “inspire the younger generation” and stressed mentorship. He told trustees, “I am really trying to strive to inspire the younger generation, specifically within the local colleges and also within local high schools ... we need to figure out how to create a bond between 2 of those.”
Speakers spoke from the public‑comment period; no board action was taken in response to the remarks during the meeting. The board acknowledged the comments and continued with the posted agenda.
