The current controversy brewing at the Homer Public Library over LGBTQ/drag books planted in the children’s section highlights the fact that most public libraries in Alaska and across the country operate under the increasingly woke guidelines provided by the American Library Association. That’s why you see so many books pushing LGBTQ themes, critical race theory and sexual identity and gender expression. It’s also why a growing number of local libraries feature drag queen performers during toddler story hours.
While concerned parents have rightly attempted to push back against these trends, library bureaucrats generally forge ahead, choosing to cast themselves as righteously woke cultural warriors engaged in a battle against backward conservative parents.
The reality, however, is that many of the most faithful library patrons – especially those who use the children’s sections – are conservative moms and dads, and a good number are homeschooling families.
While taxpayer-funded libraries have provided a valuable service for generations of Americans, it might be time to consider an alternative.
I recently came across a compelling article at The Conservative American, which lays out a game-changing alternative.
ALASKA WATCHMAN DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX
“Why couldn’t churches within a specific community pool their resources and open a children’s library where parents didn’t have to worry about their children being propagandized by Wokeness — especially on gender and sexuality?” Rod Dreher writes. “Offer a wide range of quality books from all eras, curated according to traditional moral standards? It would be the kind of place where a mom or dad would feel completely comfortable allowing their kids to roam through the stacks in search of something new to read…”
Dreher acknowledges that maintaining a children’s library would require considerable resources, and suggests that churches and others team up. That might mean asking families to pay an annual user fee, while keeping the books free for poorer residents.
These types of libraries, while small in number, are already cropping up around the country. It’s worth considering
15 Comments
This is in intriguing proposal. However, as a Catholic living in the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau, I would have very little interest in a Church-led library if it fell under the AOA’s control.
I wonder what it would take for local homeschoolers to start their own library. We’ve held a book swap at our parish and I’ve collected many good resources that I’d like to share. Alternatively, I wonder if local private schools might consider making their libraries accessible to non-student families?
That’s a wonderful idea. I would donate to that, money and books if they want them.
how about we just close down the LGBTQ+ agenda. That way our libraries can be used by all again. We pay for them out of tax funds
Create parallel structures. The time is now.
“The ultimate phase of this process is the situation in which the official structures… simply begin withering away and dying off, to be replaced by new structures that have evolved from ‘below’ and are put together in a fundamentally different way.”
~ Vaclav Havel, The Power of the Powerless
I so agree. I too have books that I would be thrilled to donate. Other resources as well. Count me in!
Me four! This is an excellent suggestion!
I love this idea
THIS is the idea our family has been waiting for. Thank you for the suggestion.
We must create a parallel society! We have, in a vert short time period, been pushed aside as deplorable by the militantly secular and/or atheistic woke crowd which now has control of nearly all institutions. Time to pull away and let them crash their doomed ship into the rocks of oblivion. Libraries for traditional values are a start, but we must go far beyond that to other aspects of society; most importantly, education. Churches can and must be the catalyst for this divorce from a dying culture. Still we must be salt and light to those who wish to jump off that doomed ship.
Wouldn’t it be much more convenient and easy to move the LGBT books to a separate section of the public library?
I haven’t been to the library in many years, but I do believe they have specialty sections, Alaskan history, etc. let’s work TOGETHER on a solution. Keep the library open and fair to all!
Move them into the trash where they belong.
Again, we are allowing a minority to chase off the majority. These people represent a very small percentage of the public throughout the United States. Wake up Alaska.
I will never set foot in our Ketchikan Public Library again, nor will I support it in way that I can control. I was once so proud of our local Library but not anymore ! Our Library it seems has turned from being a true Library in to what I have to call a social Center with an agenda to control the thoughts and behavior of our most vulnerable citizens, our children, our grandchildren and great grandchildren. The LGBTQ sexual orientation agenda has no place in a Public Library !
Why are conservatives scared of kids learning that lgbt people exist? Why are you guys afraid of Mrs Doubtfire reading your kids a book that teaches acceptance of others? There isn’t a single recorded case of a drag performer ever hurting a kid.
You guys really don’t seem to understand that drag queens are ENTERTAINERS. They are performers. Drag isn’t even about sex or gender identity! You guys really going to say you think that Bugs Bunny and Mrs Doubtfire and the White Chicks movie is indoctrinating kids? Its like saying the Chik Filet cows are using comedy to indoctrinate kids into murdering chickens.
Even your more popular drag performers are pointing out the insanity of bringing children to drag shows.