08/21/2024

This Election Will Determine the Fate of Libraries

Librarians are heroes, and we must elevate them

Imagine waking up one day to a targeted smear campaign insinuating that you, a school librarian, are advocating the teaching of anal sex to 11-year-olds. This is exactly what happened to me in 2022 after I gave an innocuous speech about censorship at my local public library board meeting.

As a 44-year resident and mother of a child in my community, I was shocked and hurt. Not only that, but these individuals, whom I didn't even know, and some who I have known my entire life in my small, two-redlight town in Louisiana, suddenly had big opinions about my character. Speaking out in support of my public library system created a surge of hurt and defamation. People in my community called me a pedophile and groomer. I received death threats.

That was two years ago, and it is still happening. The mental and physical anguish of this trauma have been relentless. To make up lies about someone is wrong. To join in on the complete dogpile of a stranger is hurtful. And to target and harass an innocent librarian, to use Kamala Harris’ running mate Tim Walz’s term, is just weird.

Please select this link to read the complete article from TIME.