By definition, a library is a place set apart to contain and maintain books and other materials for reading, viewing, listening, study, research or reference where that information may be accessed or borrowed. By and large, in the interaction between a library and its patrons, the library's role is a passive one. Its job is to accumulate, organize and make available its material in a quiet, unemotional, unbiased manner. The patron actively takes from the library what he needs, possibly with the assistance of the library's staff.
Several years ago, however, the role of the public library began to be changed. Activists wanted to "use" the library to "do" some things. Such things were promoting reading, entertaining children, informing and educating the public. Unfortunately, once human beings start doing something, they can't seem to stop. Recently one of our public libraries installed public EV charging stations with library funds.
It seems to me that the real problem with an activist library is that when one is using the library to do something he feels strongly about, he is doing something someone else might feel strongly against.
I strongly believe that if you put it to a vote, the general public would like to return our public library to being a passive, noncontroversial, neutral, quiet, unemotional, unbiased, respectful and well-run place of information we can all access.
GREG ARDOIN
Lafayette