Dear Editor:I am writing in response to the recent backlash that letters written to our library board from concerned citizens, Brooke Kruckenberg and Deb Hesson, have received.As a racial minority raising a multi-racial family in a community where racial minorities make up less than 5% of the population, I know firsthand the desire for diversity, inclusion, and representation. But when we think about diversity, it will inherently include people and beliefs we may not agree with. I've read both letters from Brooke Kruckenberg and Deb Hesson, and they do not ask for books to be banned or even removed from displays. In fact, they are actually asking for more diversity in the books that are prominently displayed to include books reflecting their religious beliefs. They are also not asking that certain books are not read during storytime but instead are requesting to simply know ahead of time what books may be read so that they can make informed decisions for their family, just like we would preview ahead of time what our children watch on T.V., at the movie theater, or engage in on the internet. This is not censorship but wise parenting. Publically villainizing and condemning these women for their religious beliefs is very counterintuitive to the message of diversity and inclusion.Sincerely,Malea Lee
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Those hurtful and direct comments along with the book censorship requests speak in direct opposition of what a public library provides for an entire community for all people.
Later
Dave Coots
The letters targeting specific staff members and implied that they have a "Liberal Agenda." In my opinion their letters were hurtful and disrespectful the staff's hard work.
How would you feel if someone went to your supervisor and accused you of having ulterior motives for the way you are doing your job? I doubt anyone would enjoy that.
And if all they wanted was more diversity, why did Brooke point out in her letter "that a majority of staff are openly a part of the LGBTQ community." Seems like they would be very open to having that group represented then.
Pointing out the staff's sexual orientation also seems pretty irrelevant if all they are trying to do is know the titles of the books at story time. Why not just go in and say.... "Hey can you please publish the names of the stories you'll be reading at story time?" and leave it at that.
Words have consequences. We should all choose them carefully.
At a meeting in March, Vinton resident Brooke Kruckenberg argued that, “It appears that there is a slow, quiet agenda moving into our local library culture through the staff hiring decisions and the books that have crept in our children’s section of the library. I don’t believe the library is representing our town well with hiring a majority of staff who are openly a part of the LGBTQ community.”