Several intolerant Iowa citizens have come together to sabotage their own community by bullying the single library in the town into closing.The Vinton Public Library has faced opposition from certain community members for not supporting their narrow worldviews for years, and a Pride book display this year seemed to be a bridge too far for those folks.One resident, Brooke Kruckernberg, openly accused the library of having a “liberal agenda” at a city meeting in March, citing “the staff hiring decisions and the books that have crept in our children’s section of the library” as unacceptable points of contention.”I don’t believe the library is representing our town well with hiring a majority of staff who are openly a part of the LGBTQ community,” she stated.The recent resignation of openly gay interim director Colton Neely, the latest in a string of departures from the library, was the final straw causing the library to close due to lack of personnel.Related: Mob of conservative mothers demand library burn Pride display booksAmong the previous employees the community has also lost to intolerance is former director Renee Greenlee, a nationally recognized and beloved librarian.Greenlee received the I Love my Librarian award from the American Library Association — an honor only extended to ten people across the country annually.Following her resignation in May, several local citizens spoke out at a city council meeting, chastising the community for chasing off such an accomplished and lovable figure.“She’s a gem and shame on us for losing this,” stated Vinton council member Tami StarkRelated: Man ordered to take down rainbow lights by HOA won’t be dulling his shine any time soonAt the meeting in March, Kruckernberg’s mother
