It was a standing-room only crowd at the Sept. 13 Fontana Regional Library Board of Trustees meeting. More than 40 people attended to talk about the library’s selection of LGBTQ books in a continued conversation that stemmed from the library’s display of books during Pride Month in June. Fourteen people signed up to speak, some in support and others who oppose the library’s promotion of those books. Many in the audience wore “Protect Kids” stickers on their shirts.
Some who spoke said they are not suggesting that the books be removed from the shelves, but about the display and promotion of the books. “I love the library, but libraries should not be promoting and celebrating sexual perversion and gender confusion to children and teens,” said Jim Gaston.
During Pride Month in 2021, people protested a display in the children’s section of the library. This year’s displays were in the general circulation area (near the checkout desk) and in the young adult section of the library.
Mary Ann Ingram said she was four years old when she recognized she was different and for more than 70 years there have been times that she was scared what would happen if someone or an employer found out she was gay. She said kids are hesitant to talk to their parents because they are afraid they won’t love them anymore.
“Let your children read so they can understand their fears and so they can communicate,” she said. “Talk to them. Don’t take the books off the shelves – leave them there – let someone read them.”
People on both sides of the issue said it is the parents’ place to teach their children about sexuality, with some seeing books being available at the library as helpful and others saying the library is overstepping.
Katherine Crawford Smith said she is a homeschool mom who loves the library, but “I will teach my children about sex when and how I want to.” She said the library should not feature such displays aimed at vulnerable and impressionable children.
“Let the parents decide, let the grandparents decide,” said Don Erickson.
“When the library bombards minors with materials on displays that encourage early sexual experimentation of all types, the library is usurping parental responsibility to oversee and guide our children in their reading, listening, and viewing choices as the FRL (Fontana Regional Library) Circulation Policy states. So, the FRL is not abiding by its own policy,” said Leah Gaston.
Hannah Kruse said her children have gay family members and she answers her children’s questions in an age-appropriate way. “Because that’s my job,” she said. “I don’t expect the library to do my job for me.”
She said as a child the library was her home away from home and she appreciates the variety of books the library offers and discourages books being pulled from the shelves. “It might not be the book for you, it might not be the book for your child, but it is the book for someone.”
Rebecca Tipton said respect goes both ways. “I would like your respect for what I think age appropriateness is for my children,” she told the library board. “Respect for what I want my kids to read and encounter in a public space.”
She said books throughout the library have labels such as mystery, romance, fiction, etc. Her suggestion for an LGBQT label drew applause from people on both sides. “There is room for families to navigate issues as they see fit,” she said.
Tipton said there have been instances of transgender people disfiguring or mutilating themselves as they transition, and she did not want her children “being forced” to know that kind of information. “This is a crisis in our country, and it is super dangerous,” she said.
As some people spoke, they addressed questions directly to the staff and the library trustees, however trustees chair Ellen Snodgrass said they were only listening to people’s concerns at that time and did not respond.