Aired Apr 20, 2023
There’s More to The Story – National Library Week 2023
As school districts and local governments implement more book bans, some people — in places like Missouri, New York, Texas, and Virginia — have advocated to close or defund libraries completely. This would deprive the more than 172 million Americans who rely on their services from an integral community resource.
We hosted a conversation about this article as a part of PFLAG Connects and Something to Talk About Live on Thursday, April 20. Did you miss it? You can still watch it here!
Article: A Love Letter to Libraries, Long Overdue
Source: New York Times
Author: Elisabeth Egan and Erica Ackerberg
Questions for Discussion:
- Do you currently have a library card? Why or why not? When was the last time you physically entered a library? What about using its online services (e.g., book and video lending)?
- What, if any, role do you think libraries play for LGBTQ+ young people, their parents, family members, and allies? Can that role be replaced if school and public libraries are closed for political or alleged budgetary reasons?
- How are you going to show your support for your local libraries this National Library week, and throughout the rest of the year?
Bonus Resources: Check out “In Burbank schools, a book-banning debate over how to teach antiracism” from the Los Angeles Times by Dorany Pineda and “As Book Banning Becomes More Popular, Experts Say Some Libraries Will Just Close” from the Daily Montanan by Elaine Povich.
About Our Guests:
Lisa D, Middle School Librarian
Julie G, High School Librarian
Something to Talk About Live is a series designed by PFLAG National’s Straight for Equality program to create conversation about LGBTQ+ issues. Each week we offer an article on LGBTQ+ topics and suggest a few questions you can use to lead a discussion with your ERG, community group, or PFLAG chapter.