12 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | NEWS
Qsaltlake.com |
Orem councilmember ‘outraged’ over library’s Pride displays An Orem City Councilmember is up in arms over “Rainbow Month” displays at the Orem Public Library. Terry Peterson sent a letter to his fellow councilmembers. “I received a discouraging phone call last Sunday night. They told of a concern they had regarding the Orem City library. The library has prominent Orem City Councilmember displays in both the Terry Peterson teen and children’s sections on Pride month,” Peterson wrote. “Walking into the library on June 14th to see for myself, I saw these displays but I saw nothing celebrating Flag Day. Also nothing regarding Father’s Day. In addition to the displayed books, the library promotes over 65 books in the children’s section website on Pride month.” “I reached out to the library with my concerns. No matter your sexual preference, our public money and platforms should not be used to plant ideas and encourage children to question their sexuality and identity,” he continued. “When our public library displays these books in this manner, it appears that we as a community are endorsing these ideas. These sensitive conversations should be happening at home and not being promoted by the public library. By the way, the teens have a section under Pride month which is labeled graphic Pride month books. Please let’s protect our children. As a lifelong resident of Orem, I couldn’t be more disgusted or outraged. This is not the role of a tax funded library.” “Highlighting LGBTQ+ items during Pride Month was also reflective of the spirit of inclusion the city recently promoted in its annual Summerfest celebration with the theme, “This is Where You Belong,” Charlene Crozier, library director, told the Herald-Journal. “The goal of the Orem Public Library is to serve all of our diverse community,” Crozier continued. “The Orem Library had displays featuring books and movies
about LGBTQ+ characters, subjects, and authors.” Crozier added that the Library Advisory Commission was aware of the displays and supports the library’s efforts to serve a traditionally underserved population in the community. “Even though some were concerned about the displays, the overall response to them was positive. Some parents thanked library staff for offering the selection of materials,” Crozier said. Other June book displays included one on hiking, camping, and exploring outdoor Utah, one on Juneteenth, and smaller displays showing books from collections throughout the library. Crozier noted the library also featured many displays for Black History Month in February and will celebrate other months throughout the year with displays around the library. The ultra-conservative Utah Board of Education member Natalie Cline shared Peterson’s letter on her Facebook page. “Displays like this are popping up in libraries all over Utah in conjunction with Pride Month,” she wrote. “The overt displays may go away at the end of June, but the books will remain. If you are concerned about these types of books being made available to immpressionable children please contact your local city council members.” “Individuals can use their own money to fund the destruction of their own children by buying those books online with their own money if they choose,” Cline continued. “It is not the responsibility of a public library to provide that for them. Public funds should not be used on books that hurt children during their impressionable years. Children should be safe to pick up any book in the children’s section without fear of being sexualized.
Issue 326 | August, 2021
We have a responsibility to protect young developing minds until they are mature enough to understand the consequences of dangerous ideas. If this were not the case we would make porn available in the children’s section too.” Cline’s base made over 111 comments on her posts, many with words like “perversion,” “propaganda,” and “evil.” She also posted against a similar display at the Riverton library. Former Orem City Council candidate Sam Lentz, who came up 12 votes short in his bid, joined Richard Davis in creating a petition on Change.org. “We stand united with the Orem Public Library’s efforts to uplift our community with light and understanding. In keeping with the theme of Orem’s 2021 Summerfest, “This Is Where You Belong,”
we are proud our library staff put those words into action,” the petition reads. “Library displays frequently highlight media relevant to the current season, such as holidays, pop culture trends, scientific topics, and social issues, to name a few. While the displays contain only a small sample of the library’s resources on a given topic, patrons are often inspired to study new ideas and perspectives. No other institution in our community serves this purpose for all residents the way our library does.” “Following Governor Cox’s proclamation of June as Pride Month in Utah, the library’s display on Pride offered patrons an opportunity to learn about LGBTQ topics and perspectives,” Davis and Lentz continued. “While no display ever forces an individual or family to delve into the materials, this display provided a valuable resource to those interested in learning about these topics, including parents seeking age-appropriate materials to
