Talked to a librarian who got death threats over a book display

I was at this small town library in Ohio last month just killing time before an appointment, and I got to talking with one of the librarians. She mentioned she put up a display with books about different family structures and got so many angry comments on social media that the library board had to step in. What hit me was she said the threats weren't even from people in our town. They were from accounts in other states who saw a screenshot someone posted in a Facebook group. She told me, 'They don't even live here, but they're telling me I should lose my job over a Pride month display.' It made me realize how quickly a local disagreement can get blown up into something national now. I kind of assumed most book challenges were from parents in the same district, but she said half the complaints she gets now are forwarded from out of state groups. Has anyone else noticed their local library getting heat from people who don't even live nearby?

2 comments

2 Comments

palmer.zara2d ago

Honestly that librarian's story about out-of-state groups fueling this stuff really sticks with me. Did she mention if the library board actually backed her up or if they caved and took the display down? Because I've seen too many local boards fold under pressure from people who don't even pay taxes in that town, and it makes you wonder who's really running things. Ngl, it feels like a coordinated campaign sometimes.

emerycarr2d ago

Watched my local board buckle to out-of-staters last month, makes you wonder like @palmer.zara said.