The Lafayette Public Library is making clear that they are not banning books or restricting access to materials at their locations.
In a statement on Friday, June 10, the library clarified that the decision on book displays would not remove books or materials from their collection.
On June 1, KATC reported on the change coming to branches of the public library. In that article, which you can view here, the library stated that books about ethnic or social groups would be removed from display sections at all nine branches.
Library Director Danny Gillane tells KATC that he wanted to remove the books related to any demographics but added that anyone who wishes to read the selections still has the option to do so.
“We are not going to display books that single out a portion of the Lafayette population. That is what I told my managers; we are not going to single out portions of the population,” Gilane said.
Despite that, some still rejected the decision to remove the books from prominent displays in the libraries. In their full statement, the library reiterated what Gilane told KATC, they will not be creating book displays that single out a portion of the population--any portion of the population.
See the full statement below:
To clarify the recent library decision regarding book displays, the library has not removed and is not removing any materials from its collection related to any portions of the population. Nor is the library placing items behind counters or locked doors. The library will not be creating book displays that single out a portion of the population--any portion of the population. Book displays are those parts of the collection pulled from the shelves and placed on display furniture around the library.
Move the Mindset, a local advocacy group, is asking the library to reconsider its policy saying the current policy of displaying "classic" texts, still only recognizes stories of certain races, classes, ethnicity, genders and cultures.
A portion of a larger statement is viewable below:
"We ask the Lafayette Public Library to reconsider its recently articulated policy of banning book displays that address groups of people who may differ by sex, gender, race, religion, ethnicity, and other important communities of identity. The Library's current policy of showcasing book displays organized around "classic" texts and traditional genres and themes claims to be neutral; yet, in reality, it privileges the stories of certain races, classes, ethnicities, genders, and cultures over others. The ability to showcase library resources that represent a diversity of stories is essential to the Library being able to fulfill its cultural and educational mission. It is also essential to the health of our community, Displaying and celebrating these stories in our public commons enables us to achieve a greater understanding of and respect for the diverse strands that bind together and strengthen our community."
Statement Regarding the Lafayette Public Library Book Display Policy pic.twitter.com/FueGawmeBO
— Move the Mindset (@MTMLafayette) June 10, 2022
Last week, an Acadiana women's group issued a statement on the Lafayette library's decision to do away with book displays that focus on any ethnic or social group.
We publicly express our opposition to the Lafayette Parish Public Library’s recent policy of banning book displays on topics pertaining to specific segments of the populations including people who are female, LGBTQIA+, Black, Cajun, Indigenous, Asian and Latino, as well as topics that some may deem “controversial.”
Make no mistake about it, this policy is discriminatory of and is hurtful to all members of our community. At WOW we believe we are stronger together. Part of being of this strength is being able to share and celebrate who we are. We urge the Lafayette Parish Public Library to reverse this policy."
Read their full statement here
------------------------------------------------------------
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
To reach the newsroom or report a typo/correction, click HERE.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Evening News Headlines, Latest COVID-19 Headlines, Morning News Headlines, Special Offers
