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This version was saved 14 years, 10 months ago View current version     Page history
Saved by Dan Kleinman
on June 27, 2009 at 11:30:03 pm
 

West Bend 2009 Public Library Controversy Timeline

 

This is a timeline of events related to the West Bend Community Memorial Library in West Bend, WI.  For more, see West Bend media reports.  The information is intended to be unbiased and supportable by reliable sources.  Anyone with knowledge may help on this page, just send us a request for access.  Pages editors include Ginny Maziarka and Dan Kleinman, and more are welcome.

 

!! - CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION - !!

! Open to Public View While Under Construction !

 

 

NOTES TO EACH OTHER WILL DEVELOPEING THIS:

Ginny: I'm going to remove from the timeline who people represent as it can get repetitive and have it or should have in in the relevent people section.

 

I suggest we represent people in different colors.  For example, red = library (director board), blue = town (mayor, atty), orange = outside orgs (ALA, ABBFE, UV-M, SafeLibraries, etc), green = ctizens (you, maria, etc.) yellow= media (Belling, etc)

 

I also suggest using only last names to shorten the timeline.  Again, the who section will be filled out.

 

The Links and the People Involved section is sort of duplicative so I am going to get rid of the links heading and incorporate things.

 

Let's call people by what they are, especially since we have separate sections for who people are.  So City Attorney Mary Shanning should be called City Attorney.  Mayor Deiss should be Mayor.  Tyree should be Library Director.  People looking at this from a distance are not familiar with the names.  The important thing is the position anyway.  Also, as I said before, there are necessarily a lot of words due to the long timeline.  Any cutting back we do will likely benefit readabilily/understandability, etc.  Many times, for example, Maria Hanrahan, grand poobah of West Bend Sleep Center or whatever appears.  Hanarahan would be much shorter, especially as it appears so many times.

 

SO SORRY, GETTING TOO TIRED TO DO THIS RIGHT NOW.....!!!!!!

 

 

Timeline:

 

  • 02-12-09 Completed the Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials Form and attached letter.
  • 02-23-09 Step One of the reconsideration process. Met with the Young Adult Librarian, Kristin Pekoll and Assistant Library Director, Sue Cantrall. 
    • At this meeting, the Maziarkas asked “for the removal of any book in the youth section of our library, i.e., children’s, young adult/YA Zone, that contains perverse and pornographic language. We requested that any youth web pages referring to topics of a sexual nature, i.e., “Out of the Closet” be removed, or at the very least, password-protected, only accessible with parental authority.” (see blogpost titled “West Bend Library Thumbs Nose at Taxpayers”)  In addition, we brought a stack of examples to share with Ms. Pekoll that contained both heterosexual and homosexual books. We explained our concern about the sexually explicit contents. We asked for identification and reclassification of books with this type of material in them to the adult section of the library. We were not directed to revise our complaint or told that we were inappropriate with our complaint process.          Complaint denied.

 

  • 02-26-09 Step Two of the reconsideration process.
    • Met with the Assistant Library Director, Sue Cantrall and the Library Director, Michael Tyree.  At this meeting, we restated previous requests (see 02/23/09). We also asked for a “ban” on the Perks of a Wallflower book.” That being, banned from the YA Zone.
    • We were not directed to revise our complaint or told that we were inappropriate with our complaint process.
    • We also offered to fundraise for software for computers and/or labeling project. We asked Mr. Tyree to consider allowing citizens to work with the library in supporting such an effort.  - Denied  (See “Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials” - Original copy)
    • Mr. Tyree respectfully requested that we await his return from a week-long vacation with his family to schedule a meeting with the library board. We agreed.
    • Mr. Tyree informed us of a scheduled meeting date upon his return from vacation. We were out of town for two days that week and could not attend the date he had scheduled.  He respectfully changed the date to the next day, which worked for all.  (meeting notes, see attachment.)
  • 02-27-09  City Attorney, Mary Schanning, tells Michael Tyree, Library Director, and Kathryn Engelbrecht, Library Board President, that she has reviewed the Maziarka's complaint and explains how to proceed with the 03/03/09 meeting with the library board (cc to Cheryl Wentland, Asst. City Att.y.) (via email/ORR)
  • 02-28-09 Michael Tyree, Library Director, tells board members that he asked the ALA/OIF to give them guidance on the complaint/challenge. (via email/ORR)
  • 03-03-09 Library Board meeting at City Council Chambers, CANCELLED due to overflow crowd and Fire Department recommendations concerning fire code. Need to confirm with WB News article.  (See Agenda (Revised), original copy,)
  • 03-04-09 Confirmed our requests via blog
    • “Yes, we are asking for these books, such as the ones listed above, to be placed in the adult section of our library to broaden the spectrum for those who wants this material.”
  • 03-04-09 Maryjane Burdge, Library Board Member and Asst Supt of Curriculum & Instruction for West Bend School District asks Maren Stahle, Library Media Specialist and K-12 Library Media Coordinator, West Bend East High School, and Jason Penterman, West Bend West High School Librarian and union member: West Bend Education Association - Professional Rights and Responsibilities Officer, to do a regional search of the school district libraries of only LGBT books on WBCFSL original complaint. This request came via school supt. Pat Herdrich. (cc: Barbara Deters) (via email/ORR)
  • 03-05-09 Maryjane Burdge, Library Board Member and Asst Supt of Curriculum & Instruction for West Bend School District sends lists of books owned by various school library media centers that also appear on the list of books on the WBCML YA Zone page titled “Out of the Closet.” (cc: Barbara Deters, Kim Christiansen, Stephanie Hicklin, Jason Penterman, Ruth Schloemer) (via email/ORR)
  • 03-06-09 Library Board meeting cancelled due to overflow crowd and fire hazard at City Council Chambers. (need citation - WB News article?)
  • 03-13-09 Sue Cantrell, Asst. Library Director, tells the Maziarkas that the Library Board meeting has been set for Thursday, March 26th at 6:30 in the Silverbrook Middle School Gym. (via email/ORR)
  • 03-16-09 Further confirmed our requests via blog.
    • “We are asking for the removal of “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” and “The Geography Club” for their explicit pornographic sexual nature. That is, removal from the YA Zone. We have additionally requested “Deal With It!” be withheld (appeared to be on order), as it appears that it is in the works for our YA zone.” Unfortunately, it was already on the shelf. We learned that shortly thereafter.
  • 03-16-09 Bob Bonenfant interviews Ginny Maziarka on the Morning Show, WBKV AM 1470.
  • 03-19-09 We again confirm our requests via our blog.
    • We do not want books removed, we want them moved to the adult section and/or labeled with indications of sexual content. 
  • 03-19-09  LibraryDirector notifies the us that the original complaint made 2-12-09 “objected to all books in the "Out of the Closet" category listed in the Young Adult section of the Library website. It did not object to specific books, only to the genre of books.”  Mr. Tyree, himself, knows that this is only a partial truth. In our private discussion with him in step #2 of the complaint process, we very strongly opposed all books with sexually explicit content, and requested identification of such books and placement in another area of the library or reclassification to the adult area.
    • Mr. Tyree’s letter went on to state “Since the cancellation of the March 3, 2009 meeting, you have stated to the media, in blogs and to the City Attorney via email that you do not want to ban all of the books in the "Out of the Closet" category. The City Attorney interprets this to mean that your original complaint has been withdrawn. Ms. Schanning's analysis of what has been in the media, in blogs and what you have emailed to her is that you are now objecting to specific books within the genre.”
    • What Mr. Tyree fails to mention is that we sent him a letter stating if the meeting remained cancelled (they had not yet formally released the Silverbrook gym and we were unsure of the reasoning behind this), we would take this as verification that he had, indeed, denied our requests, though we refused to withdraw them. This exchange of information can be obtained via open records request. The library staff then requested the reservation to be cancelled via phone call to Deb Roensch at the school district office, who then notified us that it was available, thus confirming the formal nullification of our complaint without our permission.
    • We were told “Essentially, what is being requested is that you clarify your complaint and work through the existing process regarding any specific books which you object to.”
    • Our complaint was very, very clear. We worked with an attorney on the wording and we lent an addendum when it was appropriate.
  • 03-20-09 Maziarka's send email to Michael Tyree, Library Director challenging request to start complaint process over, and cancellation of 03/26/09 meeting.  (via email/ORR)
  • 03-20-09 Sue Cantrell, Asst. Library director, notifies City Attorney Mary Schanning that she has dropped off a CD of the WBKV radio interview with Ginny Maziarka, West Bend Citizens for Safe Libraries.  (via email/ORR)
  • 03-20-09 City Attorney, Mary Schanning, sends letter to Maziarkas, notifying them their ethics complaint against Alderman Dobberstein is invalid unless notarized.
  • 03-21-09  Kristin Pekoll, Young Adult librarian, sends link to West Bend Parents for Free Speech to library staff after Maria Hanrahan emails petition information that opposes WBCFSL. (via email/ORR)
  • 03-21-09  Kristin Pekoll, Young Adult Librarian, sends out email (blind recipients) to inform them of Maria Hanrahan's appearance on WBKV's morning radio show.  (via email/ORR)
  • 03-23-09 Maziarka's once again challenge cancellation of their complaint process and insist on appeal rights to the Library Board.
  • 03-23-09 Maziarka's ask Michael Tyree, Library Director, what the library's policy for requests to make changes to current policies is.  (via email/ORR)
  • 03-23-09 Michael Tyree, Library Director, explains procedure for filing request to library policy changes to Maziarkas. (via email/ORR)
  • 03/23/09 Bob Bonenfant interviews Maria Hanrahan of West Bend Parents for Free Speech on the Morning Show, WBKV AM 1470.
  • 03-24-09 Maziarkas advertised the Town Hall-style meeting at Silverbrook Middle School on our blog, seeking input from the West Bend citizens as to how they would like to be represented, looking for direction on pursuing (or not pursuing) further.
  • 03-24-09 Michael Tyree, Library Director, requests to speak to City Attorney, Mary Schanning, about "Mrs. M." (via email/ORR)
  • 03-24-09 Sue Cantrell, Asst. Library Director, sends email link to Michael Tyree, Library Director, and Kristin Pekoll, Young Adult librarian, of Topeka Library Board issue.  (via email/ORR)
  • 3-26-09 TOWN HALL MEETING, Silverbrook School
  • 03-26-09 Michael Tyree, Library Director, contacts Elizabeth Buchanan, School of Information Studies-UWM, for assistance on how to deal with "the people who have brought the complaint against the WBCML." (via email/ORR)
  • 03-26-09 Elizabeth Buchanan, School of Information Studies-UWM responds to Michael Tyree's request for assistance. (via email/ORR)
  • 03-27-09 County Board received email from city resident concerning WVCY's open records request revelations.
  • 03-27-09 Kristin Pekoll, Young Adult librarian, sends an email to all librarians explaining how to handle patrons who have questions.
  • 03-27-09 Michael Tyree, Library Director, emails Lisa Strand, Wisconsin Library Association, to add information to article she is writing about current library complaint. (via email/ORR)
  • 03-27-09 Lisa Strand, Wisconsin Library Association, responds to Michael Tyree's email with rough draft of article written before posting on WLA blog. (via email/ORR)
  • 03-28-09 Michael Tyree, Library Director, sends list of journal reviewing sources to West Bend News reporter.  (via email/ORR)
  • 03-30-09 Cheryl Becker, Madison Library Consultant, sents email of support to Michael Tyree, Library Director, stating her knowledge of the support given by the ACLU, the CCBC and the UW Milwaukee SOIS.
  • 04-01-09 Michael Tyree, Library Director, thanks gay books author, Brent Hartinger, for responding to his request for help.  Hartinger, in turn, responds in kind with essay he wrote for Daily News.  Tyree forwards essay to City Attorney, Mary Schanning.  (via 3 emails/ORR)
  • 04-04-09 Mark Peterson, UWWC Professor, writes column condemning efforts of WBCFSL.  (see attachment)
  • 04-05-09 Mary Reilly-Kliss, library board member, tells Michael Tyree, Library Director, that she joined the ALA that day, and to pass the word to the rest of the library board members to do the same; recommends "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" and "Geography Club" as YA novels. (via email/ORR)
  • 04-07-09 Maziarka's request West Bend Community Television to air the taping of the Town Hall meeting of 03/26/09.  Mike Ryan, Coordinator for WBCCTV forwards Maziarka request to City Attorney Mary Schanning who, in turn, forwards the request to Michael Tyree, Library Director.  (via email/ORR)
  • 04-10-09 Alderman and Library Board Member, Nick Dobberstein, forwards email from Maria Hanrahan on to constituents/citizens in which Hanrahan is asking to share the email link to the petition aainst WBCFSL be shared.  (via email/ORR)
  • 04-13-09 Maziarka's file complaint to Mayor Deiss against Alderman Nick Dobberstein for biased and unethical actions concerning promotion of Hanrahan petition and confirm that WBCFSL is beginning complaint process over. (via email/ORR)
  • 04-14-09 Mayor Deiss responds to complaint from Maziarka's against Ald. Dobberstein.
  • 04-14-09 Maziarka's respond to Mayor Diess's email concerning complaint against Ald. Dobberstein.
  • 04-21-09 City Attorney rejected ethics violation complaint by WBCFSL concerning Alderman Dobberstein and Mayor Deiss.  Stated complaint must ube notarized and was, therefore, invalid.v (copy of original letter) 
  • 04-21-09 Library Board member, John Aynesworth, discusses taking VP position on library board with Barbara Deters, Library Board President (email via ORR)
  • 04-29-09 Warren Kraft, Asst. City Atty. Explains to Dennis Melvin, City Administrator and Common Council the rescission request of Alderman Dobberstein. (Memorandum/ORR)
  • 05-01-09 City Attorney Mary Schanning sends email to Asst. City Attorney Warren Kraft asking about meeting date for next library board meeting, stating recommendation to library board to slate the meeting for mid-May to give time to them to collect petition signatures.
  • 05-02-09 Alderman Dobberstein places motion on City Council agenda to rescind library appointee vote. (via email to City Attorney/ORR)
  • 05-02-09 Kathryn Engelbrecht, current library board president, sends copy of article written by library board members condemning actions of City Council members to Alderman Carter.
  • 05-04-09 Alderman Dobberstein responds to a citizen email, calling other City Council members hypocrites. (via email/ORR)
  • 05-04-09 City Council meeting addresses Alderman Dobberstein’s request to rescind mayoral library appointment vote, which was denied. (Meeting agenda/ORR)
  • 05-05-09 School of Information Studies - UWM, Joyce M. Latham, offers to organize Madison Gay Men’s chorus performance in West Bend. (via email/ORR)
  • 05-06-09 Library Director, Michael Tyree, tells City Attorney that the library board would like to schedule June 2, 2009 for the next board meeting. (via email/ORR)
  • 05-06-09 Library Director, Michael Tyree, tells City Attorney that he has checked with board members and confirms June 2nd date. (via email/ORR)
  • 05-07-09 "Wisconsin Library Challenge Heats Up," by Debra Lau Whelan, School Library Journal, 7 May 2009.  Quotes from issue participants include these:
    • “These books talk about explicit sex acts in a crude manner that’s not appropriate for minors in any shape or form,” says Ginny Maziarka, a grandmother and mother of four who describes herself as coming from a largely “conservative and faith-based” community. “This isn’t a conservative or liberal issue. It’s a common sense/decency issue, where we’re asking for respect for parents and the youth of our community.”

      Maziarka goes on to say that she and her supporters are fully aware that other libraries across the nation shelve sexually explicit books for children, but "We simply do not care. We expect our taxpayer-funded library to uphold our community standards."

    • Regardless, the library has no plans to meet any of those requests. “What they’re asking for is a form of censorship,” says Michael Tyree, the library’s director. “We’re here to make access to books easier, not harder.”
    • Hartinger, who is no stranger to book challenges, says the Maziarkas have no right to decide which books are inappropriate for their community, their schools, or their libraries. “I honestly can’t imagine anything more un-American than the idea that we shouldn't be allowed to decide for ourselves what books we want to read, and what books we want our kids reading.”
  • 05-12-09 Hanrahan emails Tyree: "We got good news on Friday that West Bend Parents for Free Speech received a grant of $1000 for our expenses from the Freedom to Read Foundation." (via email/ORR)
  • 05-12-09 Deb Roensch, West Bend School District secretary, confirms June 2nd availability of Silverbrook gym. (via email/ORR)
  • 05-14-09 Mary Reilly-Kliss asks Mayor Deiss to have reappointments of library board members voted for on separately by the City Council.
  • 05-16-09 School of Information Studies - UWM’s PantherVision Television station hosts interviews library issue.
  • 05-17-09 Alderman Nick Dobberstein asks Michael Tyree to go over his statement for the City Council meeting, requesting assistance for bullet points, and requests to know number of books on WBCFSL book list are homosexual. (via email/ORR)
  • 05-19-09 Schaar, later appointed as library board member, emails the Mayor for information as to how to apply for a library board position and states her empathy for the library and distaste for the city council: "I've lived in West Bend since 1978.  Libraries have been an important part of my life since I was a child.  We have such an amazing library and everyone should feel they are able to appreciate and enjoy it. And the peope [sic] who work at the library are all outstanding.  They should know that we respect and value their place of employment.  I've attached my resume to provide a bit more background for you.  I'm sorry you have to deal with such a mess and, in spite of what Mr. Lindbeck said, hopefully we can find a solution to this issue that will be acceptable to all sides." (via email/ORR)
  • 05-20-09 Library Board (Reilly-Kliss) emails ABFFE (Finan) seeking inexpensive materials on "Censorship": "Does ABA have any free (or very cheap) resources on Censorship? .... Resources are very limited, but I could pay a nominal fee."
  • 05-20-09 ABFFE (Finan) emails Library Board (Reilly-Kliss) offering unlimited booklets that normally cost $12 per copy: "Good memory!  That's what we call our free speech primer.  I'd be happy to send you as many free copies as you want."
  • 05-20-09 Library Board (Reilly-Kliss) emails ABFFE (Finan) conveying Tyree's message accepting unlimited booklets, suggesting the ABFFE should come to West Bend, and looking forward to meeting them at the ALA meeting: "Mary, If Chris would give us 30 or more copies that would be wonderful!  In fact, we will take as many as he will send.  Perhaps we could make a contrinution to the ABA to offset their costs?  It would be great for Chris to come to WB to share his views.  It would be fine to meet him at ALA, should that be the way things play out."
  • 05-20-09 Kristin Pekoll, YA librarian, emails UWM/SOIS, Mary Wepking, Deborah Caldwell-Stone, ALA Director, and Megan Schliesman of CCBC (Cooperative Children’s Book Center) for assistance with library power point presentation for June 2nd meeting.
  • 05-20-09 Patti Geidel, WBCML Board Member, thanks UWM/SOIS, Mary Wepking, Deborah Caldwell-Stone, ALA Director, and Megan Schliesman of CCBC (Cooperative Children’s Book Center) for assistance with information and offers to “help” Mary Wepking with a GLBTQ (gay/lesbian/bisexual/transsexual/questioning) for YA special topics course this summer. (via email/ORR)
  • 05-20-09 "West Bend City Council Fails to Reinstate Library Boards Member," by Debra Lau Whelan, School Library Journal, 20 May 2009.  Quotes from issue participants include these:
    • "These were four very qualified people who collectively have a lot of experience on these issues," says library director Michael Tyree about the board members who were up for reappointment. "They were doing what they were supposed to do—wait for the Maziarkas to resubmit their reconsideration for library materials."
    • "They’re very skillful at playing the political game," says Tyree, referring to the fact that the book challenge has ended up pitting city council members against library supporters—and has gained nationwide attention, with the American Library Association, the American Bookseller Foundation for Free Expression, the National Coalition Against Censorship, and the School of Information Studies at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee weighing in their support for the library board members.
    • "All this seems to lead toward the continued politicalization of the local library board, says Michael Zimmer, a faculty member at the School of Information Studies at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, which issued the statement of support for the library's administration and board.
    • Although Tyree says he has the unilateral authority to decide against moving the books or labeling them, he’d prefer to wait for the library board to back him.

      "If the [Maziarkas] aren’t pleased with my decision, it’ll end up in the board’s lap anyway," he explains, adding that this is a "cautionary tale that library boards, directors, and staff members should be aware of [because] what's happened here can occur in many communities throughout the country."

  • 05-21-09 Library (Tyree) emails School Library Journal (Lau Whelan) seemingly mocking the religious community and promoting a student's blog: "You mentioned that I could pass along updates for what's happening with the censorship issue as the WBCML.  A group has organized to do a read-in on 5/29/09 at our library in support of the First Ammendment [sic].  Shades of the late 60's and early 70's--it sounds like it will be an eye-opener for our 'conservative and faith-based community.'  I think if I read or hear that phrase one more time, I'll be forced to donate my eyes and ears to science much earlier than I had planned.  A link to more information on the event can be found at: http://openingbooksopeningminds.blogspot.com/"
  • 05-26-09 Patti Geidel, WBCML Board Member, asks Carin Bringelson, WEMTA chair for Intellectual Freedom Special Interest Group (IFSIG) to write a letter of support to Michael Tyree and Kristin Pekoll, requests her signature on the petition of West Bend Parents for Free Speech website, and asks her to attend the Read-In on May 29. (via email/ORR)
  • 05-26-09 ALA Director, Deborah Caldwell-Stone, tells Library Director, Michael Tyree, that she and Angela Maycock, ALA/OIF will be attending the Additionally requests Michael Tyree, Kristin Pekoll, Maria Hanrahan and Mary Reilly-Kliss to ALA Annual in Chicago to speak, and offered travel expenses. (cc: Angela Maycock; Jonathan Kelley, Adm. Asst./ALA; Nanette Perez, ALA/OIF) (via email/ORR)
  • 05-27-09 Michael Tyree, Library Director, sends notification of June 2 meeting to library board members (cc to Engelbrecht, Deters, Geidel, Pouros, Burdge, Dobberstein, Aynesworth, Reilly-Kliss, Cantrell, Atty. Schanning, Mayor Deiss) (via email/ORR)
  • 05-29-09 Read-In at WBCML organized by Jake Jurss and supported by the WBCML/board.
  • 05-30-09 Michael Tyree, Library Director, sends email to all library board members stating the Board for the Mid-Wisconsin Federated Library System had written a letter of support.
  • 05-31-09 Mary Reilly-Kliss, library board member, thanks Deborah Caldwell-Stone, ALA Director, for her personal appearance and presentation at the “Read-In” held at the West Bend Library and organized by Jake Jurss. Includes complaint about religious tracts on her car that evening and her intention to file a formal complaint against Living Waters Church/Kewaskum http://www.kehop.com/ . (via email/ORR)
  • 06-01-09 ALA Director, Deborah Caldwell-Stone, sends talking points for library board meeting presentation to Barbara Deters, Library Board President, for approval. (email via ORR)
  • 06-01-09 ALA Director, Deborah Caldwell-Stone, thanks Kristin Pekoll, Young Adult librarian, a thank-you for hospitality and sends information Pekoll requested regarding Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals decision that allows youth to play violent video games due to First Amendment rights. Sent Pekoll link to controversial website concerning SafeLibraries director, Dan Kleinman that she felt was “useful.” (email via ORR)
  • 06-02-09 Library Board holds meeting to turn down citizen complaint.
  • 06-03-09 ALA (Caldwell-Stone) emails Library (Tyree, Pekoll, Reilly-Kliss, Deters) and Citizens (Hanrahan) to thank them, look forward to meeting them at the ALA meeting, provide personal assistance, and mock Ginny (for not publishing a comment on her blog, although the OIF Blog allows no comments at all): "Friends, I want to thank all of you for your hospitality, and thank you for all the hard work and effort you all put into defending free access and intellectual freedom in the West Bend Community Library [sic].  It is a privilege to work with all of you (though it is my fervent hope that this particular project has come to an end!)  Please share my thanks and admiration with all the members of the library board.  I look forward to your panel at ALA Annual - please don't hesitate to get in touch with myself, Angela, or Bryan if you need assistance or suggestions. One last thing - as a point of personal privilege, I wanted to share the comment I posted to the WISSUP blog this morning (not surprisingly, it has not yet appeared on the WISSUP blog):  'Ginny, I respectfully ask that you correct your account, which misquotes me.' ...." See full Caldwell-Stone comment on WISSUP.  (email via ORR)
  • 06-03-09 Mary Reilly-Kliss, library board member, thanks ALA Director, Deborah Caldwell-Stone, for her personal appearance and presentation at the July 2 meeting. (email via ORR)
  • 06-03-09 Elizabeth Buchanan, Director, School of Information Studies, UWM, congratulates librarians on June 2nd vote. (via email/ORR)
  • 06-04-09 Alderman Nick Dobberstein alerts Library Director Michael Tyree to ALA article that includes interview by library board member, Mary Reilly-Kliss. (via email/ORR)
  • 06-04-09 Mary Reilly-Kliss, library board member, lends interview to the ALA condemning West Bend City Council members. (internet source) http://www.ala.org/ala/alonline/currentnews/newsarchive/2009/may2009/westbendbdslammed5409.cfm
  • 06-04-09 School of Information Studies - UWM: Elizabeth Buchanan asks West Bend Library Director, Michael Tyree, to take the chair-elect position on the IFRT, Intellectual Freedom Roundtable/ALA (three-year commitment).
  • 06-04-09 Mr. Tyree accepts position above. (email via ORR)
  • 06-04-09 ALA Director, Deborah Caldwell-Stone thanks Library Board/Librarians for working with her; looks forward to ALA panel the West Bend librarians and library board member, Barbara Deters, have agreed to do at the ALA Conference in July (Chicago). (email via ORR)
  • 06-04-09 Waring Fincke, local attorney, requests to speak with City Attorney Mary Schanning concerning "potential problems with aldermanic interviews of candidates for library board."
  • 06-04-09 Joyce Latham, SOIS-UWM, sends congratulatory email to Alderman Nick Dobberstein concerning outcome of June 2nd meeting.
  • 06-08-09 Patti Geidel, WBCML Board Member, sends UWM/SOIS, Mary Wepking, the op-ed piece from the West Bend Daily News written by gay books author, Brent Hartinger, stating it was written per the request of Library Director, Michael Tyree. (via email/ORR)
  • 05-20-09 "WI's West Bend Library Board Says 'No' to Relocating YA Books," by Debra Lau Whelan, School Library Journal, 8 June 2009.  Quotes from issue participants include these:
    • “Like the James Brown song goes, ‘I Feel Good,’” says Library Director Michael Tyree about the June 2 decision to shoot down a complaint filed by parents Jim and Ginny Maziarka. “In fact, the board voted to squelch the entire complaint. There will be no moving of materials, no labeling of materials, no disconnecting the Over the Rainbow link in our Web site, no filtering of Internet computers, and no multi-tiered library card system for minors.” Over the Rainbow is the name of a gay-themed reading list on the library’s Web site.
    • “One local who spoke said I should be tarred and feathered and that J. K. Rowling should be shot,” says Tyree, who was the timekeeper at the gathering. “Others quoted scripture from the bible.”
    • Although the board’s decision finally resolves the issue about the fate of the 82 titles on the Maziarkas list of objectionable books, the issue is far from being resolved. “It's not that I'm pessimistic by nature; rather, it's my experience and understanding that groups similar to West Bend Parents for Safe Libraries don't readily accept no as an answer,” says Tyree, referring to the local citizens group founded by the Maziarkas to help support their cause.
    • Now Tyree anticipates that the Maziarkas and their supporters will wait to see who Mayor Kristine Deiss will recommend as their replacements. “If they find a kindred spirit to be placed on the board, the issue will rise again,” Tyree says.
  • 06-09-09 Waring Fincke, local attorney, sends open records request to city hall on official letterhead. (original copy of document)
  • 06-09-09 Rich Kasten, library board member applicant, questions mayor on status of position.  (via email/ORR) see also, 06-13-09
  • 06-11-09 City Attorney, Mary Schanning, sends information regarding library board appointees to Mayor Deiss and Michael Tyree, Library Director, stating county residents may serve on board.
  • 06-13-09 Mayor Deiss responds to Rich Kasten, library board member applicant, notifying him he was not selected.
  • 06-13-09 Rich Kasten, library board member applicant, responds to Mayor Deiss concerning library board application.
  • 06-14-09 Mary Reilly-Kliss sends letter to City Attorney Mary Schanning along with open records that were requested by Maziarkas, requesting reimbursement for printing of records.

 

 

 

 

 

 

People/Organizations Involved (Grouped and in Alpha Order):

 

Citizens of West Bend and Surrounds:

 

 

City of West Bend Elected Officials and Employees, Including Public School Employees:

 

  • City of West Bend (Official Web Site)
  • Deiss, Kristine (Mayor)
  • Herdrich, Pat (Public School Superintendent)
  • Kraft, Warren (Assistant City Attorney)
  • Melvin, Dennis (City Administrator)
  • Penterman, Jason (West Bend High School Librarian and West Bend Education Ass'n Professional Rights and Responsibilities Officer)
  • Roensch, Deb (West Bend School District secretary)
  • Schanning, Mary (City Attorney)
  • Stahle, Maren (Library Media Specialist and K-12 Library Media Coordinator, West Bend East High School)
  • West Bend, Wisconsin (Wikipedia)

 

Library Employees, Board Members, and Board Applicants:

 

  • Aynesworth, John R.
  • Burdge, Mary Jane (School District Representative)
  • Cantrell, Sue (Assistant Library Director)
  • Deters, Barbara (Secretary)
  • Dobberstein, Nick (Alderman)
  • Engelbrecht, Kathryn (President)
  • Fitz, Tom (Vice-President)
  • Geidel, Patti (Treasurer)
  • Kasten, Rich (Board Applicant)
  • Pekoll, Kristin (Young Adult Librarian)
  • Pouros, James
  • Reilly-Kliss, Mary
  • Schaar, Judy (Board Applicant)
  • Tyree, Michael (Library Director)
  • West Bend Community Memorial Library, West Bend, WI

 

Media and Authors:

 

 

Outside Individuals and Organizations:

 

 

 

 

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