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Their last meeting was the first time the Livingston Library board voted to remove five vulgar books from the children’s section. Will the Livingston Parish Council punish the board’s desire to protect children?
Michael Lunsford from Citizens for a New Louisiana discusses an ongoing debate in Livingston Parish about library management and book placement. He sheds light on recent actions by the library board, including a historic vote to relocate inappropriate books from the children’s section to the adult section. Michael also contrasts Livingston Parish’s approach with other library systems across the state, emphasizing how similar issues are handled more efficiently elsewhere. The video dives into the policies, procedures, and broader implications of this local controversy, aiming to inform and engage viewers about this important community issue.
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Behind Every Blade of Grass
There’s a running joke around our office that Citizens for a New Louisiana is hiding behind every blade of grass. We’ve heard stories about government officials reconsidering questionable decisions because they were worried we’d find out. That’s a remarkable return on an investment we never made: "reaping where we did not sow, and gathering where we scattered no seed." But there’s something important in here, too.
Our little flashlight has earned us a reputation for bringing things to light. Now many officials act as if someone is watching, even when there isn't. That’s the real value of our government transparency work. It's more than just exposing wrongdoing after the fact. We've created an environment where public officials think twice.
Of course, we can’t actually be behind every blade of grass. There are thousands of public meetings, countless government transactions, and more questionable decisions than our small team could ever hope to investigate. But with your help, we can keep them wondering.
If you believe government works better when someone is paying attention, please consider supporting our work.
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