A public library in Pennsylvania recently took down a Pride Month display from its children’s area after local officials requested its removal, stirring up criticism from some community members and reigniting discussions about the influence on library programming.
Kelly Meredith, president of the Monroeville Public Library Board, shared in a statement that city management had asked the library director to take down the exhibit in the children’s section. Despite her objections, the display, which had been up since June 1, was removed last week.
On social media, Monroeville City Councilman Bill Klutt expressed his disapproval, stating, “Should these books be made available to children at the Monroeville Library? I don’t think so… I don’t care what adults do. This is sexual grooming of children.” He posted this along with a photo of the library’s Pride exhibit.
The exhibit included several children’s books focused on LGBTQ+ themes, such as “The GayBC’s,” “Children’s Books About Gay Parents,” and “My Two Moms.” Some residents, like Lindsey White, a local pastor, found Klutt’s remarks “incredibly offensive.” She emphasized the importance of the library and the exhibit as valuable resources that help children understand the realities of the world, expressing strong support for the LGBTQ community.
In response to the controversy, Monroeville’s Mayor, Dennis Biondo Jr., affirmed his commitment to inclusivity, emphasizing the importance of maintaining libraries as safe spaces free of censorship. He stated that libraries should provide access to diverse materials, and that he supports staff decisions regarding programming.
As the July 4th holiday approaches, City Manager Alex Graziani mentioned that the Pride display might be removed to make way for patriotic exhibits. However, Meredith insisted that decisions on library exhibits should remain with library staff, not public officials.
She noted in a statement that they ultimately removed the exhibit to create a comfortable environment for library staff, despite wanting to avoid setting a precedent for official interference in exhibit choices. Meredith concluded that the exhibit adhered to the library’s Collection Development Policy and expressed appreciation for community support during this time.
