Thanks to Cardinal Corner and Clover Montessori School for their support.
Anti-LGBTQ+ activists are targeting the Dakota County Library system, including Wentworth Library in West St. Paul. Several incidents happened during Pride month, culminating in a group speaking at the July meeting of the Dakota County Library Advisory Committee in Lakeville. LGBTQ+ allies showed up in support of the library, out-numbering anti-LGBTQ+ protestors.
Why it matters: Pushback against the LGBTQ+ community has grown nationwide, with legislative efforts to ban books, limit healthcare, and rollback support for LGBTQ+ people. Not just limited to red states, these anti-LGBTQ+ advocates are vocal in Dakota County and even West St. Paul.
“[I feel] sorrow that someone feels compelled to stop others from borrowing certain library books. They may believe they have the best intentions but the library believes parents and caregivers make those decisions for their own children.”
Dakota County Library Director Margaret Stone
Library Advisory Committee Meeting
A standing-room-only crowd of an estimated 150 people, plus more outside, attended last Thursday’s Library Advisory Committee meeting at the Heritage Library in Lakeville.
- A total of 37 people—including several teens—spoke during the public comment period that stretched for over an hour.
- Since at least 2019, this is the first time the committee has had people show up to give public comments.
- The committee changed their rules to accommodate the many people who wished to speak, though they still had to cut the comment period short.
“It was great to see in that people felt comfortable and welcome to share their comments and sometimes their stories,” said Stone. “I will admit the number was a little overwhelming but for the most part the meeting was courteous.”
What Happened?
The crowds turned out after Dakota County Libraries saw a series of direct action protests against Pride month displays and events, including letters specifically decrying LGBTQ+ inclusion.
- West St. Paul: Several times throughout June, the books in the Pride month display were removed and hidden throughout the library.
- Farmington and Lakeville: Separate groups checked out every book in the Pride month display and left the same letter for librarians complaining about the books. As the books have been returned, notes warning parents were included in the books.
The library did hold a Pride event in Hastings and participated in Burnsville and West St. Paul Pride events without incident.
Book Challenges
Books in the Dakota County Libraries are also being challenged at an increased rate.
- Recent numbers: Five books have been challenged so far in 2023, with three books in 2022, three in 2021, two in 2020, one in 2017, and one in 2015.
- Themes: The majority of challenged books deal with sex education or LGBTQ+ themes.
- Books: Challenged books so far in 2023 include:
- This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson (for content about dating apps (among other complaints—”there is nothing to stop an 11-year-old child from using a sex app and getting raped.”)
- You Know, Sex: Bodies, Gender, Puberty, and Other Things by Cory Silverberg and Fiona Smyth (for “grooming our children for sexual deviance.”)
- The Every Body Book: the LGBTQ+ Inclusive Guide for Kids About Sex, Gender, Bodies, and Families by Rachel Simon (for “makes teenage sex completely acceptable.”)
- The GayBCs by M.L. Webb (for “child grooming.”)
- Animal Crossing: Deserted Island Diary #3 by Kokansu Rumba (for “sexually suggestive images and language.”)
- Process: The county’s Library Advisory Committee reviews book challenges, known as “requests for reconsideration.” The committee reviews any reconsideration requests and makes a recommendation to Library Director Stone, who makes the final decision. Since Stone took the position in 2016, the committee has never voted to recommend removing a book.
- “If a customer has concerns about a particular title, the staff at the branch location are the first contact and will have the initial discussion,” said Stone. “If that doesn’t alleviate the concerns, then they are invited to complete a form—Request for Reconsideration of Material.” Staff then compile information on the book and prepare a report for the committee. After a decision, the library sends a letter to the individual who submitted the Request for Reconsideration of Material explaining the decision.
Most of the crowd left after the public comment period, though a small contingent stayed for the reconsideration of materials. The committee reviewed four challenged books, voting unanimously to recommend retaining three of them and tabling the fourth until the next meeting to have more time to review it.
- Dakota County Library Materials Selection Policy states: “Dakota County Library attempts to meet the needs of the total community, recognizing that some materials may be controversial. It is the responsibility of the individual library user to choose those materials which meet his or her tastes and needs. Users are free to reject for themselves materials of which they do not approve. However, they may not restrict the freedom of others to read or access materials.”
- Wider policy: The American Library Association uses the Library Bill of Rights (adopted in 1939) and the Freedom to Read Statement (adopted in 1953) to give more direction on the role of public libraries and the materials they should make available in a free and democratic society.
- What is it: The Library Advisory Committee is a board of residents appointed by the Dakota County Commissioners that meets every other month to advise library leadership, offer community input, and review challenged books as needed.
Public Comment
Here’s a sampling of some of the comments at the Library Advisory Committee meeting:
- Opposed to Pride displays: “This is an egregious action that has no value to the community. It is clearly there for indoctrinating children to Pride topics or what is generally known as grooming. Now this is not to be critical of LGBTQ people. It is critical of the amorphous Pride group that nobody can really pin down and their efforts to bring children into it.” -Joseph Foley, Lakeville
- Parental responsibility: “Respectfully to the first speaker, I appreciate your eloquence and your concern, but it’s not your job to parent my children.” -Ken Paulman, West St. Paul
- After daughter came out: “Being able to go to her school library and public library and see stories and characters that represent her has been a wonderful experience. It encouraged her to read more and it’s given her more confidence in being herself.” -Andrew Baussan, West St. Paul
- Sexualizing children: “It’s not because we hate anyone, or we’re afraid of anyone, or that we don’t have compassion on anyone. You know, most of us here are adults in the room and the others are some very brave teens and kids. So we can recognize and respect that each of us can make choices for ourselves sexually. Our main concern is when it’s books that are targeting and sexualizing children.” -Karen Miller, Lakeville
- Saved lives: “I want to thank you library committee for the Pride displays around your libraries. By allowing for marginalized groups to see themselves represented in these public spaces. You have literally saved lives.” -Megan Gooden
- Protect young children: “I am not trying to discriminate against anybody. We’re not hateful of anybody. We love all of God’s children. And we’re just trying to protect our young children from seeing things before they’re at an age where they can process it rightfully.” -Joseph Miller, Lakeville
- I protect my kids: “Every day I protect my kids from guns, from strangers, and from some aspects of religion. I don’t need anyone else to protect my kids. I’m very capable.” -Robin Strand, Lakeville
- Stopping Suicide: “There was a time where a couple of these kids told me that they were not wanting to live anymore. Because they were not safe in their places. They didn’t have somebody who could see them and love them for who they were. And sometimes those books were the places where kids got that feedback that they saw themselves clearly.” -Mary Zilge, West St. Paul
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(Full disclosure: The author of this piece chairs the Dakota County Library Advisory Committee.)
Photo by Abigail Hendricks