Over 50 community members gathered at the Iowa City Public Library Thursday night, rallying to save the State Historical Society. Organized by the Iowa Labor History Society and Save Iowa History, the event aimed to bring together community members and raise awareness about efforts to preserve the State Historical Society of Iowa’s library and archives. Iowa City residents and advocates said the event marked a milestone in the ongoing fight to preserve Iowa’s archives. Under a memorandum of understanding, in effect through the end of June, the university will provide library space for residents to access State Historical Society of Iowa materials. Susan Futrell, an Iowa City resident and longtime library user, said that the move overlooks the true purpose of libraries and archives.