SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ______,
As a citizen and library advocate, I find the recent changes to library policies, as well as harassment and micromanaging of librarians and programing at the Lafayette Public Library to be an embarrassment for our community. Instead of focusing on the work of maintaining infrastructure, overseeing budget deficits, and expanding access for more patrons, the Board of Control has wasted taxpayer time on attempting to fire librarians (outside their area of control), interfering with program planning (outside their area of control), and attempting to ban books (two members voted to ban This Book is Gay in November 2021). In addition, the Director, in an attempt to fend off further Board action, banned all library cultural displays in May, 2022. These actions have repeatedly brought us national and international press attention for all the wrong reasons. It’s shameful and a disgrace, especially for a library that was winning awards for excellence just a few years ago.
I’m writing to ask you to put aside partisan concerns and do what’s best for our library. The Parish Council needs to stop appointing Board of Control members who are guided by far-right agendas and instead appoint members who understand that the library must represent all residents of Lafayette Parish. I also ask that you remove board President Robert Judge from the board.
We should be increasing access for our citizens, not actively working to limit access. It’s time we stop playing politics with our library.
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Sincerely,
SAMPLE PHONE SCRIPT
My name is __________.
As a citizen and library advocate, I find the recent changes to library policies, as well as harassment and micromanaging of librarians and programing at the Lafayette Public Library to be an embarrassment for our community. Instead of focusing on the work they should be doing, the Board of Control has wasted taxpayer time on attempting to fire librarians, interfering with program planning, and attempting to ban books. In addition, the Director banned all library cultural displays in May, 2022. These actions have repeatedly brought us national and international press attention for all the wrong reasons. It’s shameful and a disgrace, especially for a library that was winning awards for excellence just a few years ago.
​
I’m writing to ask you to put aside partisan concerns and do what’s best for our library. The Parish Council needs to stop appointing Board of Control members who are guided by far-right agendas and instead appoint members who understand that the library must represent all residents of Lafayette Parish. I also ask that you remove board President Robert Judge from the board.
We should be increasing access for our citizens, not actively working to limit access. It’s time we stop playing politics with our library.
​
Thank you for your time.