Pinellas commissioner reignites focus on LGBTQ+ materials in libraries
Nearly two summers after a Pinellas County commissioner pressured officials at the Palm Harbor Library to remove a Pride Month display from the children's section, the branch is yet again facing scrutiny — and potential budgetary retaliation should they not comply with the board's directives.
After recently touring libraries across the county, Commissioner Vince Nowicki found issue with the Palm Harbor branch and drafted a resolution that would ban displays, oral presentations and pamphlets that 'promote sexual identity' in the children's section.
The Palm Harbor Community Services Agency held a special meeting Monday night to discuss the issue and proactively address the county's concerns. County commissioners tabled a vote on Nowicki's proposal Tuesday, agreeing to grant the library the opportunity to address the issues on its own, but reiterated they would be monitoring its actions.
'We'll be keeping a gadfly eye on Palm Harbor Library,' Nowicki said.
In June 2023, Commissioner Chris Latvala took issue with the library's Pride Month display and the library's then-director, who he said was unfit for the position. The display was ultimately taken down, despite overwhelming support from the community to keep it up.
Latvala said he toured the library Monday, and by then all of the LGBTQ+ materials had been relocated from the children's section. Although he acknowledged the library's cooperation with commissioners, he cautioned that Palm Harbor be wary of what goes into the children's section this June during Pride Month.
'We have a budget process coming up this summer, and I will remind those folks that that happens during Pride Month,' Latvala said Tuesday.
Palm Harbor Library isn't the only branch receiving budgetary threats.
Nowicki also visited Largo Public Library on Saturday and sent photos to state Rep. Berny Jacques, R-Largo, of LGBTQ+ pamphlets and pride flags. Jacques sent a letter to the mayor of Largo stating that he would not support state funding for the library or future appropriations for the city if the items were not taken down and 'fully corrected.'
'I believe, as most of my constituents do, that these types of themes are within the purview of parental guidance, not government-sponsored activism,' Jacques said in an interview. 'I felt the way I can influence it is through the budget process.'
Largo Mayor Woody Brown said in an interview the materials were in the teen section and are inaccessible to younger children. On Monday, he said he did not anticipate making changes, and that books exploring these topics can help parents answer questions their children may have. The city owns and operates the library.
'When it comes to having a pride flag in the library, our city makes it a point to make sure that everybody feels welcome,' he said, 'and we're going to continue to do that.'
A petition with nearly 900 signatures as of Wednesday has circulated in protest of the resolution and was forwarded to county commissioners.
'Libraries should reflect the diverse needs of all patrons, including marginalized communities,' wrote Jessica Terrence in an email to Commissioner Brian Scott. 'My children deserve access to books that help them understand the world, and as a parent, I — not government officials — should decide what they read.'
Nowicki's proposal also included 'accountability measures' for staff who violate the policy and required the library submit a new Strategic Plan that removes any language, content, policies or principles related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Palm Harbor Library Director Matthew David attended Tuesday's meeting and said the branch will remove stickers from books that identify them as LGBTQ+, which was a point of concern for Nowicki.
David said these were put in place to help patrons identify the book's genre — helping parents find or avoid them. Of the library's books, less than 1% contain LGBTQ+ topics, David said. Mentions of diversity, equity and inclusion were also removed from the Strategic Plan.
'The world is complex and one of the great joys is having an institution that has to deal with those complexities,' David said.
In a county work session March 20, Commissioner Dave Eggers agreed that LGBTQ+ materials should not be in the children's section. But, he cautioned against removing them from teen sections, because they can be a resource for young people facing mental health challenges.
Eggers also attended the advisory meeting Monday and said dialogue with the library leadership was a 'night and day difference' compared to two years ago and encouraged the commissioners to let them handle the situation on their own.
'When the numbers really come out, there's more people complaining about us doing anything versus doing nothing,' Eggers said.
Although the commissioners did not adopt the resolution, they were clear that it can be brought back should concerns arise.
'If the board decides to let the library go its own course, if I see something I don't like it will be back here again,' Nowicki said.
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