As of today, a local GoFundMe campaign has raised $50k for the library. Unfortunately, that’s only 20% of what the library needs to operate through 2023, and Jamestown Township isn’t likely to come up with much more.

That’s because the Township is part of the Trump-and-God-fearing radical right-wing farm belt around Grand Rapids (and 160 miles south of me). No, I’m not exaggerating. It was settled in the 19th century by extremely conservative Dutch Reform families. Go to the centers of the towns in that region, and you’ll find at least two Dutch Reform churches. What’s the difference between them? One is extremely conservative; the other is even more so.