Resident criticizes library after staff T‑shirt about 'banned books'

Brandon Meyer addressed the council during the public‑input period, saying he had sent a letter to the Manitowoc Public Library board after he saw a staff member wearing a shirt referencing 'banned books.' Meyer called the shirt politically charged and inappropriate for a taxpayer‑funded institution and said the board did not meaningfully respond to his correspondence at its April 22 meeting.

"Since this is a taxpayer funded public entity, that shirt was not appropriate decorum, and the library should not be involved with political agendas encouraged by local special interest groups," Meyer said. He told the council he expected better responsiveness from the library board, urged new appointments if the board would not address public concerns, and described the appointment process as mayoral suggestion with council approval.

Mayor Nichols acknowledged Meyer’s comment during the public‑input period; the transcript indicates the library board president told Meyer the board had received one correspondence and moved on, but no further board response appears in the meeting record.

What’s next: Meyer’s complaint was recorded in public comment; the council did not take immediate action in the meeting and the library board’s internal response was not included in the transcript.