The Salem Public Library was built in 1904 to serve the community by providing equal access to information—however, citizens who pay taxes in Oregon unknowingly support Salem Alliance Church as well.
Over the past 116 years, the public library has grown into a place with free internet connection with computers and printing available, a Discovery Room available for kids who want a tangible learning experience, the Summer Reading Program—which instills reading habits in children while they are not in school—and so much more.
Now, the library is going through some changes. On the wall leading downstairs, staff posted up a paper tree inviting patrons to write down memories onto leaves. Down the carpeted stairs, the once computer lab is filled with boxes of storage, and the popular Teen Scene is closed, the only available room being a restroom and the empty Anderson Room(s).
Due to the growing concerns surrounding the megaquake that will eventually happen from the Cascadia Subduction Zone, the Salem Public Library was approved for a $18.6 million bond, paid for by Oregon taxpayers, to undergo a seismic retrofitting of the building. A Salem Library Improvement Project board was assembled in 2017 and have met monthly to discuss the progress in the renovation and relocation for the Salem Public Library.
The Library Renovation Council Subcommittee meets monthly to go over budget information and general inquiries from the public. The library will temporarily be relocated to a Broadway building currently owned by Salem Alliance Church, which was not known when the bond passed in 2017. The former Capital Press building which will hold the interim library is going to cost $19,000 a month, a controversial lease agreement which nearly 300 people have signed a petition against.
Putting a public library, even if it is temporarily, in a space owned by a church is problematic. Point blank. Even if the Broadway building “met city criteria,” it raises questions about whether it is ethical for Salem Alliance Church to own, and therefore lease the building to the City of Salem. Will Salem Alliance Church be exempt from paying taxes on the building, since they are a church? And, consequently, will the $19,000 monthly rent go straight into the pocket of Salem Alliance?
In December of 2019, a whistleblower accused the Mormon Church of stockpiling $100 billion, skipping out on taxes and misleading members of the congregation. The numbers are obviously not as high in this situation, however the relation stays the same—how is it ethical for taxpayers to give their money to a church without their consent? The Oregon State Bar says it is legal for religiously affiliated businesses to engage in discrimination against LGBTQ+ people, however that does not make it right. And it certainly does not mean that a public library can allow jurisdiction to follow through.
This is not the first time Oregon taxpayers have been dealt a shorthand and paid the consequences later. The City of Salem has experienced budget shortfalls increasing by the hundred thousands since 2017, with a city savings account to run dry by the year 2023. Salem’s elected leaders spent millions of dollars getting two fire stations restored, as well as opening a homeless rental assistance program. Neither of these expenditures were responsible for the long term, putting the extra taxes and fees on taxpayers.
In an interview after the meeting adjourned, Sarah Strahl, library administrator for the board, said, “People’s main concern with the interim library’s landlord is that the message of inclusiveness will change. That is not the case. We are still Salem Public Library in any space that we go to.” Strahl mentioned the subcommittee’s meeting with the Salem Human Rights Committee in a good light, however the statement from the SHRC on the library’s relocation tells a different story:
“The Salem Human Rights Commission is deeply concerned about the proposed lease of the property owned by the Salem Alliance Church for the temporary location of the Salem Public Library. The Commission respectfully requests that the City review the available properties for other potential options, and select another location, even if that location is not as ideal in cost or operations,” said Danielle Meyer, Chair, on behalf of the Human Rights Commission.
Despite public concern, the Broadway building was pushed through as the only viable option, with the construction of the new library beginning March 23. The subcommittee prepared for the opening of the interim Broadway library on March 14, which was jovially repeated in accordance to “Pi Day,” with party planning including pie for earnest library-goers.
When Lois Stark, Library Advisory Board member was asked about the importance of acceptance, she said, “We are here for the whole community, no matter what. I think this whole discussion has been good for the community because it makes us ask ourselves if we are inclusive. And I think those questions are important, being self aware.”
I missed the part in your article that showed any evidence that Salem Alliance is unfriendly to the LGBTQ community. Which makes your headline inaccurate and inflammatory.
Hi Kate, I originally turned this assignment in for a class, but the part where I discussed my own experience was cut. Salem Alliance discriminates against LGBTQ people in their coffee shop, Broadway Coffeehouse by not allowing them to work there, or, in some instances drink coffee. Also, I was a member of that church and was baptized there. Shortly after I came out to friends and family as bisexual, I was shut out of my church and not invited to any Disciple group meetings. You are correct in your assumption though, without those paragraphs the title is inflammatory. Hope this helped though!
Do you think they are not welcome in the building? Seriously doubt anyone would spare a thought to what anyone’s sexuality is! Give it up and stop trying to create a problem where there isn’t one. My bigger problem is why at the main library do we have to pay to park?
Whoever wrote this article should be ashamed. As americans we’re allowed to disagree. It’s alarming that more and more people think it’s acceptable to force people to agree with you. Get a life, just because someone’s personal beliefs don’t align with yours 100% doesn’t mean you should go out of your way to shut them down and ruin their lifes. Agree to disagree, stop being so hateful. If you’re going to preach about being “accepting of all people and lifestyles” maybe you should practice that concept and understand that not “all people and lifestyles” are going to agree with everything that you believe. Stop being a hypocrite and learn to love your neighbor, even if you don’t agree. Articles such as this one are decisive. People could say that LGBT’s are anti-christian, but instead people learn to accept and love one another despite different veiwpoints. Very sad and disturbing to see the judgemental, hateful and biased nature that the PSU LGBTQ community has against people of religion.
So fucking what. When have taxpayers NOT paid for something they did not approve of. Churches are not the only tax exempt institutions. Lots of corporations are. Walmart.. My fucking taxes support those assholes. Not everyone is going to like everyone. Its life. Live with it.
Title is way off. The writer needs to not call the owner LGBTQ and the rental is not homeless. Please study your hyphenizations hehe
About the subjuct matter…opinions and what is legal are two different things and you cannot disclude a church from serving the cities needs because of an opinion. No where in any contract is the church saying they disclude anyone. So offended LGBTQ or offended church people are opinionated and are not included in any contract. Mute point. Life is not to be always comfortable and it is only temporary.
Salemite here. I’ve accepted this specific decision is irreversible and therefore not worth debating, but I’m pleased people in Salem will be forced to pay attention to the inherently-discriminatory and anti-human attitudes of a church like the CMA.
The current Salem Library was built in 1970, not 1904, BTW.
Let me see if I understand this very anti Christian view; typical politically correct thought process, for example a friend went to a locally owned restaurant to treat his wife to special dinner wearing a Trump hat so they ended being seated in a separate room away from everyone, next step are we going to dirty shoe inspectors; I mean I dont like that coat your wearing should I call ahead for permission. When are going to stand up and stop letting a few misguided individuals dictate to rest of us?
Everyone doesnt have to be ok with homosexuality, if gays don’t like it then go to a different fucking library
Churches- true Christian churches – are not “LBGQT unfriendly” . They are opposed to homosexuality and see it as a sin. They do not hate anyone – nor do they have to condone sin to be accepted .
I understand what homophopia is, but what is the fear of non gay people called? This article seems to imply that a word should be derived for such occasion. It’s a temporary building for the library, not a sexual issue, or even a tax issue. This article is highly misleading on the legalities. I’m assuming you will delete this comment and not post it.
All these big churches in Salem are lining their pockets meanwhile the homeless population grows and poverty prevails.
Obviously some anti religious fanatic wrote this. You’d rather pay more money and have a worse location then lease a building from a church something is wrong.
They should be saying thank you that a building has become available to help the people of this community who do not have access to computers and the internet. One of the greatest pros is the public transportation transit center is just blocks away! Salem Alliance keeps doing so much for the community. Thank You.
Please tell me when this church was ever even accused of discrimination against thr LGBTQ community, other than in your article? Such nonsense this article is!