Invisible Ink - Vol. 9
April 2024 Newsletter
“That Stinking Library Bill”
As we collectively pause at the end of the legislative session, and before you start making plans for the future, we encourage you to take a moment and reflect. Yes, the Governor DID sign “That stinking library bill.” However, there is a long list of legislators that stood with us and did NOT support the bill. Consider taking a moment to thank them for that act by sending a note of appreciation. For your convenience, we have listed their emails below and provided you with some sample text to get started.
Dear Representatives and Senators,
I wanted to express my sincere appreciation for your recent vote against HB710, also known as the "Children's School and Library Protection Act." Your decision to oppose this bill demonstrates your commitment to preserving the freedom of access to information and literature in our schools and public libraries. By standing against legislation that could restrict access to educational and literary materials, you have shown leadership in upholding the values of intellectual freedom and the importance of fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment. Thank you for your dedication to the rights of readers and supporting our community's library staff and volunteers.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
Legislators who voted against HB710:
TAchilles@house.idaho.gov; SBerch@house.idaho.gov; NBurns@house.idaho.gov; SChew@house.idaho.gov; CDixon@house.idaho.gov; SGalaviz@house.idaho.gov; JGannon@house.idaho.gov; DGarner@house.idaho.gov; BGreen@house.idaho.gov; CHandy@house.idaho.gov; GLanting@house.idaho.gov; CMathias@house.idaho.gov; LMcCann@house.idaho.gov; SMickelsen@house.idaho.gov; SMiller@house.idaho.gov; LNecochea@house.idaho.gov; JNelsen@house.idaho.gov; JPetzke@house.idaho.gov; NRoberts@house.idaho.gov; IRubel@house.idaho.gov; MSauter@house.idaho.gov; KWroten@house.idaho.gov; JYamamoto@house.idaho.gov; RCheatum@house.idaho.gov; ARabe@senate.idaho.gov; TBernt@senate.idaho.gov; LHartgen@senate.idaho.gov; RJust@senate.idaho.gov; ALee@senate.idaho.gov; CSemmelroth@senate.idaho.gov; JRuchti@senate.idaho.gov; RTaylor@senate.idaho.gov; JVanOrden@senate.idaho.gov; JWardEngelking@senate.idaho.gov; MWintrow@senate.idaho.gov
ILA support
ILA has two online stores you can purchase from, and all proceeds go to support the non-profit organization and cover potential legal fees. Merch designs have been created by Idaho library workers and donated to ILA to raise funds.
ILA Bonfire - for shirts, sweaters, tote bags, and hats
ILA RedBubble - for notebooks, magnets, mugs, pillows, hats, tote bags, mouse pads, etc.
Encouraging Ink
We asked our twitter (X) followers to send some encouraging words we could pass along!
Your work matters. You are important. We support you.
Hold fast and know you are loved.
Your struggles are real and you are not defined by them. Your pain is true and it is not insurmountable.
Today may be terrible, but you are a glimmering beam of starlight who can illuminate the darkness and provide navigation to others. Go forth and shine!
Try the poem “See It Through” by Edgar Guest (https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44318/see-it-through)
This is not the end, it is the beginning of something new.
Distracting Ink
Things we’re doing, or you might consider doing, to be distracted and take a break from libraryland.
We curated this list of songs for an instant mood boost:
Treat yourself with books:
Keep Moving: notes on loss, creativity, and change by Maggie Smith
You Can Do Anything, Magic Skeleton! Monster motivations to move your butt and get you to do the thing by Chuck Wendig & Natalie Metzger
Everything is F*cked: a book about hope by Mark Manson
Do something:
Connect with people who make you happy
Make something
Go outside
Thanks for being here with us. Want to get more involved? Drop us a line, and we'll be in touch. Want to share the word? Forward this email to a friend and encourage them to sign up.
We're a group of library workers and allies joining together to support libraries in Idaho.
We believe libraries are a public good that better our communities through education and access to resources. We seek to share talking points in support of the work libraries do, develop systems and tools to support library workers, and create paths for library friends to speak in support of libraries.