A Utah public library has confirmed that an LGBTQ-themed children’s book, noted by a conservative outlet, is part of its collection. The book is kept accessible for young readers, but contrary to claims, it is not on display. The library aims to make these books easy for young patrons to find without showcasing them separately.
Carla Z. Gordon, director of library services at Provo City Library, confirmed the presence of the book titled ‘Pride Is Love’ along with other similar titles. These books are part of a collection of over 2,500 board books designed for young children. While they are not displayed, they remain easily accessible within the library.
“They are shelved in bins that contain over 2,500 other board books (any that are currently checked in). The post describes them as being ‘central and easily accessible,’ which is very true. These are books for our smallest patrons and we make them easy to find.”
The Cougar Chronicle, a conservative news outlet, posted a photo depicting the children’s book ‘Pride Is Love.’ The post suggested the library promotes progressive ideologies through these books. The book itself is intended for very young children, from babies to age three, and conveys a story about a girl and her two dads preparing for a Pride parade.
Gordon mentioned a section of the library’s website, created to assist parents in choosing materials that align with their family values. The library’s Selection Policy aims to collect diverse materials to help community members with education, information, and leisure activities.
“Within the limits of space and budget, the collection offers patrons materials in a choice of format, treatment, and level of difficulty. In this way, most individual library needs can be met and service provided to individuals of all ages.”
According to Gordon, while specific books are not currently on display, the library frequently uses various themes to highlight its collections. These can include holidays, visiting authors, and popular topics, among others. The library also endeavors to represent diverse perspectives on topics like gender, sexuality, and race through its collection, which sometimes attracts complaints from parents and community members.
The library has established processes to address such concerns, evaluating materials to decide whether to retain, relocate, or remove them.
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