Provo City Library Confirms Accessibility of LGBTQ-Themed Children's Book

<p>The Provo City Library in Utah confirmed that it includes the LGBTQ-themed children's book 'Pride Is Love' in its collection for young patrons and maintains that it is kept in a central and accessible location. Carla Z. Gordon, the director of library services, stated that the book is not on display but is shelved among over 2,500 other board books.</p><p>Gordon clarified, "They are not on display. 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."</p><p>The confirmation follows a post by The Cougar Chronicle, a conservative news outlet, which claimed that the library's children's section promotes progressive ideologies. The post included a photo of 'Pride Is Love' and described it as part of a collection that promotes radical gender theory and critical race theory.</p><p>Other LGBTQ-themed children's books mentioned include 'Pride Puppy!', 'It's a They!', and 'My Two Dads and Me.' The book 'Pride Is Love' is aimed at children from birth to age three and depicts a girl and her two dads preparing for a Pride parade. Similarly, 'My Two Dads and Me' illustrates the daily lives of LGBTQ fathers and their children.</p><p>In her statement, Gordon referenced the library’s website, which is designed to assist parents in selecting materials that align with their family values. She also emphasized the library’s Selection Policy, which aims to provide a diverse range of materials to meet the educational and informational needs of the community.</p><p>Gordon noted, "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."</p><p>She added that the library receives complaints regarding materials in its collection and follows a review process to address these concerns. Additionally, Senator Mike Lee of Utah expressed his concerns about the library's collection in a post on social media.</p>