Sam Hel
mick
\n President\, American Library Ass
ociation
______ _______________
\n \nSEPTEMBER 4\, 2026 | 11:45 A
M – 1:00 PM
\n St. Paul's United
Methodist Church\, Cedar Rapids
\n
** in-pers
on event **
In an era dominated by hyper-part
isan content and "noise\," public libraries remain
essential sanctuaries for authentic community con
nection\, intellectual freedom\, and the shared ri
ght to read. In September\, Intersections explores
how modern political attacks on public libraries
threaten not only our democratic institutions but
also the core tenets of religious freedom and civi
l dialogue. Grounded in a commitment to fiscal res
ponsibility\, institutional transparency\, and fai
th-led community stewardship\, we will discuss how
diverse voices can unite to safeguard libraries a
s vital spaces for all Iowans.
Y ou may make your reservation to attend in-person ( no lunch) by clicking on the "Register Now" button . There is no cost for this option\, but we must hav e your RSVP to ensure we have enough seating.
\n \nIf you have any issues reg istering\, please email info@interfaithallianceiowa .org or call 515.279. 8715.
\n \nABO UT OUR PRESENTER | Sam Helmick (they/them) is a li felong Iowan with over two decades of dedicated se rvice in the library field\, currently serving as the President of the American Library Association and the Community and Access Services Coordinator at the Iowa City Public Library. A former Presiden t of the Iowa Library Association and the current Chair of the State of Iowa Library Commission\, Sa m’s leadership is deeply informed by their Christi an faith and a steadfast commitment to the interse ction of religious freedom\, intellectual liberty\ , and robust public stewardship. Their advocacy fo cuses on defending the right to read\, resisting a dministrative overreach\, and ensuring that public institutions remain resilient\, inclusive\, and t ransparent spaces of grace and discovery for commu nities across the state and nation.
\n \ nIntersections is a monthly gathering of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa in Cedar Rapid s. It's an opportunity to learn\, to participate i n civil dialogue\, and to discuss issues at the cr ossroads of religion and politics.
DESCRIPTION:\n \n \n \n Faith\, Freedom\, and the Future of Ou r Public Libraries\n \n \n Sam Helmick\n \n Presid ent\, American Library Association\n \n \n \n ____ _________________\n \n \n \n SEPTEMBER 4\, 2026 | 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM\n \n St. Paul's United Method ist Church\, Cedar Rapids\n \n ** in-person event **\n \n \n \n \n In an era dominated by hyper-part isan content and "noise\," public libraries remain essential sanctuaries for authentic community con nection\, intellectual freedom\, and the shared ri ght to read. In September\, Intersections explores how modern political attacks on public libraries threaten not only our democratic institutions but also the core tenets of religious freedom and civi l dialogue. Grounded in a commitment to fiscal res ponsibility\, institutional transparency\, and fai th-led community stewardship\, we will discuss how diverse voices can unite to safeguard libraries a s vital spaces for all Iowans.\n \n \n \n \n You m ay make your reservation to attend in-person (no l unch) by clicking on the "Register Now" button. Th ere is no cost for this option\, but we must have your RSVP to ensure we have enough seating.\n \n \ n \n If you have any issues registering\, please e mail info@interfaithallianceiowa.org (mailto:info@ interfaithallianceiowa.org) or call 515.279.8715 ( tel:5152798715).\n \n \n \n \n ABOUT OUR PRESENTER | Sam Helmick (they/them) is a lifelong Iowan wit h over two decades of dedicated service in the lib rary field\, currently serving as the President of the American Library Association and the Communit y and Access Services Coordinator at the Iowa City Public Library. A former President of the Iowa Li brary Association and the current Chair of the Sta te of Iowa Library Commission\, Sam’s leadership i s deeply informed by their Christian faith and a s teadfast commitment to the intersection of religio us freedom\, intellectual liberty\, and robust pub lic stewardship. Their advocacy focuses on defendi ng the right to read\, resisting administrative ov erreach\, and ensuring that public institutions re main resilient\, inclusive\, and transparent space s of grace and discovery for communities across th e state and nation.\n \n \n \n \n Intersections is a monthly gathering of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa in Cedar Rapids. It's an opportunity to lear n\, to participate in civil dialogue\, and to disc uss issues at the crossroads of religion and polit ics.\n \n CATEGORIES:Event c3 CALSCALE:GREGORIAN DTSTAMP;TZID=America/Chicago:20260904T114500 DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260904T114500 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260904T130000 LOCATION:1340 3rd Ave SE\n St. Paul's United Methodist Chur ch\n Cedar Rapids\, IA 52403\n URL:https://interfaithallianceiowa.ourpowerbase.net/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=305 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR