This post originally appeared at https://wifamilycouncil.org/radio/libraries-arent-what-they-used-to-be/
2025 | Week of April 21 | Radio Transcript #1615
Two weeks ago, libraries across the nation participated in National Library Week, largely sponsored by the American Library Association (or ALA). Once storehouses of literature and knowledge, due to the influence of organizations like ALA, libraries have become pushers of the radical leftist agenda. Instead of promoting healthy and age-appropriate books for children and teens, ALA encourages activities such as Drag Queen Story Hours in public libraries, defends offensive and inappropriate books being available even in children’s and youth section of libraries, and champions diversity, equity, and inclusion.
If you walk through the children’s section of your local library, you will mostly likely find LGBTQ+ picture books like ABC Pride, an alphabet book that begins the alphabet with “A” is for “acceptance,” or Family is Family, a story about a baby chick with two moms, or Born Ready, a story about a transgender boy. But it doesn’t stop in the picture book section.
In the adolescent section, you will find chapter books about queer, nonbinary, transgender, and gay children. Then, as you move into the Young Adult section, you will find more of the same themes, except now the content will often be luridly descriptive. Sadly, the YA sections of libraries contain countless books with sexually explicit themes and descriptions. Instead of seeking to protect children from offensive content, ALA loudly supports these books and grants libraries money to incorporate them into their collections.
The ALA kicked off National Library Week with Right to Read Day. Although the name sounds innocent enough, what ALA means by “right to read” is that anyone who wants to should have access to explicit books at public libraries, even children.
To boost the celebrations for Right to Read Day, ALA published its State of America’s Libraries Report which includes a list of the Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2024.[1] According to ALA, every book on the list has been flagged for sexually explicit content, seven have been flagged for LGBTQIA+ content, four have been flagged for rape, and two have been flagged for profanity and drugs. All of these explicit books are shelved in the YA sections of libraries, which means they are geared for teen readers. Once again, ALA proudly supports these explicit books in children’s sections and encourages readers to check them out to keep them in circulation.[2]
The director of ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom claims that the groups who oppose these offensive books are “targeting books about LGBTQIA+ people and people of color.” While family-friendly groups certainly oppose these books because of their LGBTQ+ agenda, according to the reasons provided on ALA’s website, not a single book was flagged because of the color of the book’s author or characters. The claim that these books are being censored for racial reasons is simply bogus.3
In response to ALA’s increased radicalism, some, maybe even many libraries have chosen to break ties with ALA. As part of the Trump Administration’s major cutbacks in government agencies, in the last couple of weeks, the National Endowment for the Humanities has terminated over half of its staff and over a thousand grants to organizations such as the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Association of Research Librarians, and ALA.
As the Trump Administration recognizes, many of these organizations have sacrificed true work in the humanities—like promoting high quality literature and art—for the promotion of woke ideologies and explicit content in every area of the arts. The tax dollars of hard-working Americans should not go to organizations like ALA that promote offensive content for children.
Sadly, libraries are no longer the safe places they once were for families and children. But concerned Wisconsin citizens really can make a difference. Voicing concerns to library staff and sharing concerns with fellow library users is very important. Beyond that, every public library in our state has a board of trustees that includes appointed citizens.
I served two three-year terms on my local library’s board, and was president the last term. During my time on the board, we dealt with several issues that could have gone in very different directions had we not had so many Christians also on that board—people appointed by our mayor, who was also a believer. Right now, after this spring’s election, is a great time to find out the process in your municipality and request to be considered for an appointment to your local library board. You voice matters and really can make a difference.
For Wisconsin Family Council, this is Julaine Appling, reminding you that God, through the Prophet Hosea, said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
[1]https://www.ala.org/news/2024/04/ala-kicks-national-library-week-revealing-annual-list-top-10-most-challenged
[2]https://uniteagainstbookbans.org/right-to-read-day/
Haylee Lawver 
Sierra John