Libraries

Board member Jane Puszkar asked a consultant to review the district’s library books for age-inappropriate content without school board or district approval, according to a letter sent by the district’s former superintendent.

The library board that serves Collinsville and Fairmont City will remain conservative leaning after Tuesday’s election.

The Mississippi Valley Library District board of trustees has been caught up in culture war-like issues for the past two years. On Tuesday, three of its seven seats are open, and the winners will steer the board as it navigates issues including aging facilities and staff unionization.

Rolla Public Library is providing a lost-and-found for people who find photos and other personal items in their yards and elsewhere.

The library system reported a 169% increase in patron use of Hoopla in the past five years.

The Mississippi Valley Library District board of trustees currently has a 3-3 ideological split. Finding a replacement for a vacant board spot just a couple of months before the election could swing the board away from a conservative majority.

State Rep. Wick Thomas, who worked as a librarian, is hoping to educate colleagues about why libraries are vital to communities.

The former director of the East St. Louis Public Library was indicted in federal court on five counts of wire fraud and embezzlement.

Archivist and entrepreneur Emma Prince helps build archives for places like the City Museum and people like Carmelite Sisters in Los Angeles.

Library officials have tabled a plan to close three branches to fund other parts of the library system. Some library patrons and protesters said they worry the smaller branches won’t stay open for long.