Resources
Timeline
To understand the potential future for our library, it's important to understand the past.
Citizens for a New Louisiana, a 501(c)(4) organization, files articles of incorporation with the state of Louisiana two weeks before a planned library millage renewal in Lafayette. Its Executive Director, Michael Lunsford, claims the organization was created to promote "transparency in local government."
After Citizens for a New Louisiana Spends $21,000 on ads in a single week, Lafayette voters fail to renew a 1.6 Mill Property tax by a margin of 646 votes, costing LPL $3.6 Million per year. Citizens is later investigated by the Louisiana Board of Ethics for the timing of their formation/funding/ad buy, but is cleared after the board rules no donor disclosure was required.
A Drag Queen Storytime Event is planned at LPL with Delta Lambda Phi Fraternity. While organizers & supporters tout the program as a way to educate children about diversity and acceptance, conservative leaders denounce it as "inappropriate" and call for a review of all library programming. Library board President Joseph Gordon-Wiltz says he has no plans to intervene.
Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding Drag Queen Storytime, as well as public records requests filed by M-P Joel Robideaux on library programming and filters on library computers, LPL Board of Control President and Robideaux appointee Joseph Gordon-Wiltz resigns.
Future LPL Board President Robert Judge protests DQST at the September meeting of the library board. Stating he believes DQST programs promote "gender fluidity" and "transgenderism," he speaks until his time is up; his supporters shout that he should be allowed to continue.
Warriors for Christ files lawsuit (mistakenly targeting Lafayette, IN) to stop DQST; in a deal, the library agrees to temporarily forbid DQST events. Local advocates sue and the lawsuit is dismissed.
M-P Joel Robideaux accuses library of misleading voters regarding construction millage passed in 2002. Teresa Elberson, LPL director, counters that Robideaux's understanding of the bond issue is incorrect.
Drag Queen Storytime is held successfully as a private event with police protection against the protestors gathered outside, including future board member Stephanie Armbruster (who holds up signs near the street alongside extremist group Tradition, Family, Property). The event is well attended by parents and children, and no other issues are reported.
Lafayette Mayor-President Joel Robideaux repeatedly calls for transferring $18 million from LPL's budget to fund road and drainage projects, citing, in particular, the recent purchase of furniture for the new West Regional Library. His request is rejected by the council twice, who instead elect to put the measure before voters.
After a request from the LPL Board of Control, the City-Parish Council votes to set aside $12 million dollars for library construction projects, including $8 million previously sought by Councilman Kenneth Boudreaux for a new Northeast Library, and $4 million for an expansion of the North Regional Library in Carencro.
Voters approve a plan to rededicate $10 million of the library’s fund balance to drainage & recreation. No accounting is ever made for how these funds are spent.
Armed with a new conservative majority, the library Board of Control begins by voting to change board bylaws, giving more power to the board President and increasing its direct control over the library director. You can read the details of the bylaws changes HERE.
Members also vote to reject a $2700 grant from LEH because "both sides" aren't represented by the discussion facilitators. A citizens' investigation reveals the origins of the board's actions.
At the same meeting, Stephanie Armbruster proposes ending LPL's reciprocal borrowing agreement through the Bayouland consortium, citing budgetary concerns. The board also rejects an expenditure of $2000 for voter and usage data from Gayle Analitics in anticipation of upcoming library millage elections.
Days after the board excoriates her over the handling of the voting rights grant, Director Teresa Elberson abruptly retires.
DQST Protester Robert Judge is appointed to the LPL Board of Control, over the objections of citizens who either call or testify at the meeting.
Library advocates file lawsuit seeking to nullify Robert Judge’s appointment, alleging “Walking Quorum” between board members, parish council members, and Michael Lunsford. The suit is ultimately lost. The text messages in question are available HERE.
At his first board meeting, Robert Judge submits a motion to change the library’s mission statement, removing culture & recreation. In his proposal, Judge states that the library should eliminate "completely unnecessary" services, such as electric vehicle charging & musical instruments. Board tables his motion. You can see his proposed mission statement HERE.
After a six-month search, LPL employee and interim director Danny Gillane is appointed library Director.
At the same meeting Hilda Edmunds, Mayor Josh Guillory's board appointee, attempts to call an illegal Executive Session to discuss Pride Displays in libraries. After being told by board attorney Mike Hebert that such a meeting would be illegal, she instead refers to the displays as "controversial" and "political," saying they will interfere with the board's "progress."
Librarian Cara Chance speaks, stating, "It is in the librarian's code of ethics not to bow to censorship, not to allow one person or one group to dictate all of the information and to impose their view on the entire community."
At the July, 2021 regular board meeting, Robert Judge makes a motion to suspend Robert's Rules of Order to add changing the library's mission statement to the agenda. His motion is seconded by Stephanie Armbruster, but gets no other votes and fails.
At the same meeting, the board elects not to request the Parish Council 'roll forward' millages, which would maintain the library's current revenue amounts.
After a nomination from outgoing President Doug Palombo, DQST protester Robert Judge is elected President of the LPL Board of Control. Landon Boudreaux is elected Vice President.