Utah Library Defends Inclusion of LGBTQ+ Themed Board Books Amid Public Scrutiny

The Provo City Library in Utah is addressing public attention regarding its collection of LGBTQ+ themed board books intended for its youngest visitors. The discussion follows a recent social media post by a local publication and subsequent comment from a U.S. Senator.

According to a library official, these specific books are not featured in special displays but are shelved within bins containing over 2,500 other board books that are currently available. Despite not being on display, the library confirmed their easy accessibility to patrons.

“They are not on display,” a library official stated. “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.”

Library Collection and Content

Among the titles drawing attention is “Pride Is Love,” described on its retail page as suitable for babies up to three years old. This book follows a young girl and her two fathers as they prepare to participate in a Pride parade. Another title, “My Two Dads and Me,” also targets the same age group, illustrating the daily lives of LGBTQ+ fathers and their children through everyday activities like eating breakfast, visiting the park, and bedtime routines.

Other LGBTQ+ children's books mentioned in the broader discussion include “Pride Puppy!,” “It's a They!,” and “My Moms Love Me.”

Library Policies and Community Engagement

The library highlighted its official Selection Policy, which outlines its mission to “collect, organize, and make easily available to the people of the community materials which will help them in the pursuit of education, information, and the creative use of leisure time.”

The policy further states, “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.”

The library also noted its practice of creating various displays throughout the facility to promote its collections, often tying into holidays, special observances, visiting authors, popular subjects, or even random themes. A library official emphasized the commitment to offering diverse viewpoints.

“As mentioned in the Selection Policy, we do try to represent differing perspectives on many topics,” the official explained. “Gender, sexuality, and race are all topics that have a variety of perspectives, so we do own books representing those differing voices.”

In response to parental feedback, the library maintains a process for addressing concerns about materials in its collection. This procedure, detailed in the aforementioned policy, involves reviewing the items and then deciding whether to keep, relocate, or remove them.

Additionally, the library has developed a section on its website specifically designed to assist parents in choosing materials that align with their family's values.

Public and Political Reactions

The situation gained broader notice after The Cougar Chronicle, an organization identifying itself as providing “independent conservative news and opinion at BYU,” published a photo of “Pride Is Love” on Monday. The accompanying caption asserted that the children’s section of the Provo City Library was “promoting radical gender theory, critical race theory, and other progressive propaganda to Provo's children.” The post also featured images of other LGBTQ+ children’s books.

Following this, Utah Senator Mike Lee shared The Cougar Chronicle's post on a social media platform, expressing his apparent disapproval with the comment, “Come on, Provo You’re better than this.”