Launching Love Your Library Appreciation Week!
The community is reeling after Flathead County Commissioners appointed another pro-censorship candidate to the ImagineIF Library board in July. This is a crushing turn of events for people who believe in the First Amendment, the freedom to access information, and privacy.
Instead of feeling defeated, we are going to find ways to support library staff and LGBTQ+ people who are most impacted by the decisions and misinformation that are coming from the current trustees. We’re going to take action with love and have fun!
Here’s the plan
We asked library staff what support they needed. They said that they want to do what they love: help patrons and recommend materials. We have a three-part plan to support them.
1. Ask library staff for reading recommendations!
The professional library staff is well read and knows the collection inside and out. They are happy to help any patron who comes through the door, whether that’s a Christian homeschooler, a libertarian, a teenager, or someone who wants the latest Steven King or John Grisham release. Tell a staff member what you like, and they’ll give you a few recommendations!
2. Leave a note of encouragement.
Fill out the library’s “What do you think” feedback form to tell the library staff, director, and trustees exactly what you love about our library! Since the pandemic and the book challenges last year, there seems to be a coordinated effort to complain about certain books or services. Let’s send the library some love instead! Those messages are shared with staff and library trustees.
3. Check out LGBTQ+ books.
Public comments from some library trustees and community members have been full of misinformation about LGBTQ+ people and books. We know that national anti-LGBTQ+ organizations are intentionally amplifying propaganda and harmful stereotypes, which is being picked up by partisan operatives at the local level.
As we continue holding the trustees and or the county commissioners accountable for spreading misinformation, we can support equality by checking out LGBTQ+ books now during August 8-12 – and anytime!
How this will work
Follow Love Lives Here via email, Facebook, and Instagram to get action items and book recommendations throughout the week.
Pop into the library anytime to get a book recommendation from a librarian and fill out a feedback form. You can also send an email to the library director, Ashley Cummins, at acummins@imagineiflibraries.com.
Request a book in the library collection online - right from your own home! We will be posting lists of popular LGBTQ+ titles so you can choose from a genre that fits you.
Please note that online books and audiobooks in the Libby app do not count toward checkouts at ImagineIf.
Stop by on Friday, August 12! Love Lives Here volunteers will be there from 11 am to 1 pm with a stack of feedback forms. You can grab a book and fill out a form on the same day!
But wait, won’t a public list of LGBTQ+ books trigger more book challenges?
Great question! We need to remember that we all have the right to access these books, regardless of other people’s opinions. Let’s use that right freely!
It also appears that people who favor censorship are already getting lists of LGBTQ+ titles from national groups that are trying to censor or remove LGBTQ+ books. Since these titles aren’t a secret, we should feel free to read and enjoy them! Books that are checked out regularly are in demand and should have a place on the shelves.
Please share this with friends and get on board to love our library!
Questions?
Please email info@loveliveshereflathead.org and we’ll get back to you quickly.