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TN Public Library Supporters: I am writing today to let you know of a situation currently affecting the Rutherford County Library System. Several books were removed from the collection by the RCLS Library Board back in August. The steering committee of the Rutherford County Commission met in November and stated that the library board had sought their help in ensuring that the library staff didn't purchase any other objectionable materials using taxpayer funds. The steering committee directed the library board to come up with a plan to prevent these purchases, and stated that if such a plan was not acceptable to them, they would pull county funding from RCLS. Currently Rutherford County funds 60% of RCLS's budget, so no county funding will essentially close the libraries. This would obviously be a travesty for the residents of Rutherford County. If you are a resident of Rutherford County, please contact the steering committee and let them know how a defunded public library would affect our community. You can copy and paste these addresses to contact them directly: ([log in to unmask], [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask]) Another way to help is to attend the next meetings of both the library board and the steering committee. The library board will have a specially called meeting on Monday, December 18th at 5:00 p.m. at the Rutherford County Courthouse. The next steering committee meeting is on Monday, January 8th at 5:30 p.m. at the Historic County Courthouse Commission Chamber. We need all the attention we can get on these two meetings. Helpful links: The Rutherford County Library Alliance: https://www.fightforthefirst.org/petitions/support-the-rutherford-county-library-system Interview with Rutherford County Library Alliance members: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zisf2MWKcLk&t=29s Thank you, Angela Frederick TASL Member -- Angela Frederick [log in to unmask]