The state conference of the Iowa Library Association is being held the first week of October in Sioux City at the downtown convention center. Librarians from all over the state came to Sioux City, which had not been the host site for more than 20 years.
Sioux City Public Library Director Helen Rigdon said it was a nice accomplishment for the state conference to come to the city, as library workers and others make for a vibrant, buzzing event.
Sam Helmick is the 2025–2026 president of the American Library Association. Helmick is the community and access services coordinator at Iowa City Public Library, and she also was at the conference.
Helmick was a member of the ALA Executive Board until earlier this month at the end of their term, when chosen for the president post, and is also immediate past president of the Iowa Library Association.
So for this edition of What’s The Frequency, I came to the convention center to meet with Helmick and Rigdon, to discuss the state of libraries locally and nationally, the value of books and reading, and more.
We discuss the wide variety of ways that modern libraries work to serve their communities, with some examples being able to check out daily life pieces such as cake molds, radon readers and pieces of art for their homes or apartments.
Here is a passage at the website of the American Library Association – "The ALA since the late 1800’s has been the trusted voice for academic, public, school, government, and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library's role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all."
Rigdon and Helmick describe how literacy is the foundation for a well-functioning nation.
They also describe a shift in how some people, including lawmakers, are pushing to remove books from libraries.
Helmick cited "unmitigated castigation of library workers," and distrust in people being able to make decisions to read whatever books they want.
Helmick said Banned Books Week from October 6-11 has the theme, "Censorship Is So 1984."
Rigdon said the funding for the Sioux City Public Library branches for the next fiscal year, to be set in spring 2026, will be challenging, as the state is impacting what local municipalities can collect in revenues.
More than 200 people are at the Iowa Library Association, which last was in Sioux City 21 years ago,
*Click on the audio link above to hear the entire show.
What's The Frequency, Episode 81.
