Library board votes against ‘politically driven’ diversity grant
About 30 members of the community attended the meeting
BY KELLI AMELING
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Board members acknowledged the turnout to Monday’s library board meeting was a first in almost a decade as they heard from several members of the community about a diversity grant the board was considering. The board voted down pursuing the grant after much discussion as the specific grant had “too many strings attached” and was “politically driven.” The Washburn Public Library Board of Directors held a special meeting Sept. 19 at the library to discuss the John and Elaine Andrist Charitable Trust: Library Collection Grant.
The grant would award a library up to $500 for putting “more diverse books in the hands of their readers and communities.” Public meeting About 30 members of the Washburn community packed into the public library to have the discussion and give input regarding the topics, themes and graphics associated with the books on the list.
