For those who weren’t at the July board meeting, you missed another attempt by MPL staff to fool you and attending patrons. The first attempt was in Nov./Dec. 2022 when staff and Director Rosenblum (trained researchers) claimed to have done a “deep dive” into the merits of The Epoch Times newspaper and American Rifleman magazine. They fooled you when, after diving into acknowledged biased sources, couldn’t state any merits. They failed to mention that millions of people, some in the district, saw enough merit to purchase subscriptions and provide subscriptions to others. You were conveniently not provided with copies of the material for consideration 30 days before voting on the request for it.

The next attempt was during the July meeting during discussion around the recently completed policy review. Katie Fink projected an aggregator’s graphic depicting bias and reliability ratings for sources. Pres. Gaffney sited the graph as vindication for denying inclusion of Epoch Times. Bias was never discussed concerning the graph until after the meeting . At that time, I stated that the graph was biased, to which Fink replied, “they all are” I responded, “then why not let the readers decide?” (end of conversation)

Patrons were never fooled. We recognized the first attempt in Nov. 2022. MPL trained researchers, TRUSTees Gaffney, county rep Lindholm, Bennett, Hall, Beak, Husak, and Morrison continue to rely on biased sources such as State Library of Iowa, ILA, ALA and acknowledged (“they all are”) biased aggregators. These sources are sited as vindication for board actions.

As to policy reviews, why, if trustees live up to their designation as community representatives, do patrons have to rely on letters addressing policy only to be considered away from public scrutiny? Did any of you think to attend the policy review on behalf of patrons? Were you invited to attend?

This matter could be resolved with substantive discussion after this meeting. (didn’t happen)

Notice that aggregators, acknowledged by trained MPL researchers to publish inaccurate data, are relied upon and touted as reason to censor material because it published inaccurate data! You can’t make this nonsense up, yet it has been/is practiced, unchecked for 34 months by a city department. Censorship is prolonged by Mayor Greer’s appointment of 3 replacement TRUSTees who show no inclination to represent certain patrons.

All patrons deserve honest treatment from public servants.