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Dear neighbors,
You may have heard about a book-banning discussion affecting our local library. This arose after a candidate for the Board of Library Trustees, Brian Curry, questioned the legitimacy of an LGBTQi+ book in the teen room at the library. These would be troubling views on a normal day, but are particularly concerning when it comes to the immense power and responsibility that resides within the Trustees. You see, the Trustees are legally responsible for the materials maintained by our local library.
I could defend the book and explain what it portrays and why it has literary and educational value. However, this isn’t about a book. At the 2023 Library Trustee Forum, when asked about banning books, Mr. Curry stated that there are books which are “not appropriate for our children and not appropriate for our library.” Fellow candidate Mr. Michael Terry then said, “I agree with Brian [Curry] on this one… Certain books should not be available to the general youth population here in town.”
Mr. Terry and Mr. Curry haven’t objected to the myriad of books that are available in the Reading Public Library that depict heterosexual sex (for example, It’s Perfectly Normal, by Harris and Emberley, which is available in the Children’s room in the non-fiction section). The entire romance section of the library is available to teens as well (including the incredibly explicit Fifty Shades of Grey). Mr. Terry and Mr. Curry can use all the pseudo-inclusive language they want. They can claim that they want to protect children, but at the end of the day, they have only targeted an LGBTQi+ book.
This hyper-focused objection to a single book out of a catalog of thousands of books is not a coincidence. This is an extension of national hostility and attacks on LGBTQi+ and trans rights in particular. Given their statements, I believe Mr. Terry and Mr. Curry pose an immediate threat to our LGBTQi+ community should they win seats on the library board.
Show your support for Reading’s LGBTQi+ community by voting for incumbent Monette Dugas Verrier and candidate Christian Cappy Popp. They have both indicated their support of our staff, programming, and materials. They have also stated their opposition to banning books.
Want to do more?
Learn about other candidates who believe in an inclusive Reading and make a plan to vote.
Early voting has started and election day is Tuesday, April 4th. See when and where you can vote.
Sign a petition to oppose banning books at RPL.
In support,
Vanessa Alvarado
Mt Vernon St.
