State Librarian Robin Westphal keynoted the 2024 Spring Conference: Knowledge Is Power: We Have a Lot of Work to Do. I

“Freedom to read should be a nonpartisan issue,” Westphal said. Despite passage of SB 775 in 2022 that resulted in 333 books being banned from schools, she said, “In most cases books have remained on shelves in public libraries.” She’s worked with the state’s 160 libraries to make sure each was able to comply with new administrative rules and could continue to receive state funding.

Westphal shared concerns about an attempt to require library boards to be elected. It would be a mistake to make them political, she stressed. Since terms are staggered, she said elections would be expensive. “Libraries need League members as allies and members of library boards,” she concluded.

Greg Woodhams, LWVMO Board member and LWVKC Voter Education Committee Chair, walked through study guides with background on an election administration concurrence to be voted at a special Council on Aug. 13. St. Louis City Director of Elections Ben Borgmeyer answered questions on how voting works in St. Louis compared to other jurisdictions. St. Louis City and County have equipment that allows voters to vote at any polling place.

Members enjoyed an interview with Sojourner Truth by Rebecca Now with Voices of American Herstory. Click here for video of her presenting the famous "Ain't I a Woman" speech.

After lunch from Mom’s Deli, local Leagues shared their plans for the 2024 election. LWVSTL board member Mary Toy shared a GOTV toolkit. You can find those graphics and other resources at t.ly/GOTVtoolkit.

M’Evie Mead shared information on the Healthy Families initiative, followed by information from Kennedy Moore from Abortion Action Missouri. 

Kay Park won the Rachel Farr Fitch Award for her work to restore reproductive rights in Missouri. For a video of that presentation, go to https://drive.google.com/.../10A1HPTT5gFV236JagcI.../view...

More information will be posted soon.