
During the Manitowoc Common Council meeting on Monday (April 19th), County Board Supervisor Don Zimmer took to the microphone during the public input section of the meeting where he spoke out against a program being held at the Library.
The program, entitled “Privilege and Power” is being put on by Lakeshore’s United Visionaries. Zimmer questioned the naming of the program, asking “Are there library staff who preen and patronize non-white library visitors? Do they ignore them in favor of white patrons? Do they exercise their quote power unquote by denying people of color proper services all together? What exactly is the issue that requires the Lakeshore’s United Visionaries to be called in for assistance?”
Zimmer also said he asked the Library Board if they are paying LUV for their help, which Zimmer said he has not received an answer.
Zimmer summed up his thoughts with his final statement.
“Here’s the bottom-line,” Zimer said bluntly. “A library is a repository of knowledge available to members of the community. A library should never be misused as a propagator of any political ideology. This has to stop.”
The LUV organization issued a statement, which rebutted some of the statements made by Zimmer.
First, they corrected the statement he made regarding the name of the training video. “Privilege and Power” is actually the name of their panel, which in their words, “was created as an opportunity for the community to enter into meaningful discussion and dialogue.”
They asked that everyone view the panel on their Facebook and YouTube pages to draw their own understanding of the topic. You can click here to view the program on Facebook, or here to watch it on YouTube.
They also clarified that Black Lives Matter is actually split in to three distinct areas, the organization, the movement, and the phrase. Their statement reads, “L.U.V. is not affiliated with the Black Lives Matter organization. We support the movement and you may hear us say ‘Black Lives Matter’ because we believe they do. The Black Lives Matter movement is not a political ideology, but rather a movement for human rights and equity.”
Kristin Stoeger, the Executive Director of the Library also issued a statement, which read in part, “We offer a wide variety of programming that represents all members of our diverse community. We encourage the community to utilize the Library’s resources and programming to support their own educational, recreational and cultural needs.”
Below are the full statements issued by the L.U.V. organization and the Public Library.
Lakeshore’s United Visionaries –
We have heard the public comment from the Common Council meeting on April 19. We’d like to correct a few inaccuracies.
“Privilege & Power” was referenced as the title of the training that Lakeshore’s United Visionaries (L.U.V.) is facilitating with the Manitowoc Public Library. Rather, “Privilege & Power” is the title of our panel, which was held on April 19. This panel discussion was created as an opportunity for the community to enter into meaningful discussion and dialogue.
We encourage viewing the recorded panel discussion, as we answer questions raised about white privilege and the many complexities surrounding the topic. We hope that through viewing the recording available on Manitowoc Public Library’s Facebook and YouTube you are able to draw your own understanding of who L.U.V. is, and why we seek to engage in conversation with the community.
Facebook: https://fb.watch/4_FxZxehkD/
YouTube: https://youtu.be/99bboAKImC8
A common misunderstanding in regard to Black Lives Matter is that it can be referred to as three different things – the organization, the movement, and the phrase.
L.U.V. is not affiliated with the Black Lives Matter organization. We support the movement and you may hear us say “Black Lives Matter” because we believe they do. The Black Lives Matter movement is not a political ideology, but rather a movement for human rights and equity.
L.U.V.’s mission is bringing unity in the community through education, understanding, and love. We hope to fulfill this mission through important community conversations, civil discourse, community events, as well as training opportunities focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Talking about and working on these issues is foundational to the goal of a more understanding and unified community. We invite anyone with civil questions, comments, and/or concerns, to please reach out. We welcome everyone to have a conversation!
We also want to give our thanks and appreciation to the Manitowoc Public Library for hosting the “Privilege & Power” panel discussion event and continuing to fulfill their own mission – “The mission of Manitowoc Public Library is to promote a culture of reading and to provide access to information. Through services we strive to foster an environment that meets the educational, recreational and cultural needs of the community.”
Manitowoc Public Library Executive Director Kristin Stoeger –
The mission of Manitowoc Public Library is to promote a culture of reading and to provide access to information. Through services, we strive to foster an environment that meets the educational, recreational and cultural needs of the community. Wisconsin law recognizes ‘the importance of free access to knowledge, information and diversity of ideas by all residents of this state.’ Wis. Stat. § 43.001
We offer a wide variety of programming that represents all members of our diverse community. We encourage the community to utilize the Library’s resources and programming to support their own educational, recreational and cultural needs.
Staff development is important to the growth of the individual, and the organization they work for. It is an opportunity to encourage staff to learn and grow throughout their careers, and to pursue career goals. Supporting education and training opportunities are important to enhancing an individual’s performance and capacity, even beyond their current position. It’s also an opportunity for library professionals to stay abreast of current issues facing our local and larger communities. Over the course of a year, Manitowoc Public Library staff view or attend over 400 staff development trainings (Manitowoc Public Library staff participated in 489 individual trainings in 2020) on a wide variety of topics, including customer service, marketing, universal design, inclusivity, early literacy, and more.