Pella voters keep library independent by slim margin following failed 'Gender Queer' challenge

In a tense battle over book censorship, Pella residents voted Tuesday to protect the local library board's independence.

About 51% of voters cast ballots against a measure to give City Hall officials oversight over the library's actions and budget, according to unofficial results. The non-binding referendum reached the ballot after some residents petitioned the library board to remove a graphic novel about gender fluidity, mirroring a national debate driven by conservatives over what books taxpayer-funded libraries should carry.

The decision was separated by just 87 votes, according to unofficial results.

The referendum was non-binding, meaning the City Council would have then decided whether to change Pella's laws and give themselves more oversight of the library board. Under the proposal, the council would have authority to change the library's policies. City Administrator Mike Nardini would oversee library staff and review the library board's spending requests.

Under the current law, the council allocates an annual contribution to the library and appoints seven board members. The unpaid board members meet at least once a month, decide how to spend funds and determine policies — including whether to remove books.

Some residents tried to strip the board of its power after the library's leaders rejected a request to remove or restrict access to "Gender Queer: A Memoir" in November 2021. Maia Kobabe's 2019 graphic novel includes sexual images and explains how the author came to identify outside of the gender binary.

A non-binding referendum over the Pella library board's power started after the board declined to remove or restrict access to "Gender Queer: A Memoir." Library officials kept the book in the building's adult section.
A non-binding referendum over the Pella library board's power started after the board declined to remove or restrict access to "Gender Queer: A Memoir." Library officials kept the book in the building's adult section.

Parents challenged the book's presence in public school libraries at least eight times between August 2020 and May 2023, a Des Moines Register analysis found, with most critics charging that "Gender Queer" is pornographic. Pella library staff had placed the book in the building's adult section.

Residents then asked the City Council in April 2022 to place a referendum on the ballot to poll residents on whether the elected leaders should take more control over the library. The majority of the council declined to take up the issue, according to the Oskaloosa Herald.

The advocates then pushed for the non-binding referendum, gathering about 700 signatures in the summer of 2022 to prompt Tuesday's vote.

The election kept Pella's local printers in business, with advocacy groups on both sides of the issue raising a combined $20,000 through Oct. 31. Vote Yes to Save Our Kids, a group advocating to take power from the library board, raised about $10,500.

About half of that money came in the form of in-kind contributions from Tom and Evelyn Nikkel, who bought ads in local publications, printed mailers and rented space at the Pella Memorial Building. Evelyn Nikkel hosts a show on a local Christian radio station.

Vote NO To Save Our Library raised about $9,000 in opposition to the referendum.

While advocates have pushed for book removals at libraries in many school districts, a Des Moines Register analysis found, challenges at city libraries appear to be rare. The Altoona Public Library rejected a request to remove a book in February 2022, while an Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library committee voted against a proposal to restrict access to a book in October 2022.

Because the referendum failed, advocates cannot bring the same non-binding issue to a vote for another four years, according to Iowa law.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa election 2023: Pella Public Library retains independence

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