"Curating the Collection" (adding books to the libraries)
The president of the American Library Association, Emily Drabinski, is a self-avowed Marxist.
(Note: the word "Marxist" is tossed around lightly but the goals of Marxism directly threaten our way of life. In The Communist Manifesto Marx stated that the revolution requires the abolition of (1) private property, (2) the family, (3) individuality, (4) eternal truths, and (5) the past.)
When campaigning to be president she said, “So many of us find ourselves at the ends of our worlds. The consequences of decades of unchecked climate change, class war, white supremacy, and imperialism have led us here. If we want a world that includes public goods we must organize our collective power and wield it. The American Library Association offers us a set of tools that can harness our energy and build those capacities.” That sounds like an agenda. In fact, the ALA proposes that public libraries should be the "center of the communities" where they're located (not the Church). The ALA offers a grant aptly named "Libraries Transform Communities."
Since the late 1990s, the ALA has been a recipient of major funding from George Soros’s Open Society and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Our libraries in Botetourt County follow ALA guidelines and are organizational members of the ALA, paying $938 in annual dues. What selection criteria does the ALA outline for adding books?
Requests by patrons is last. In fact, if you look for any of the objectionable books at your local library you'll see that often they do not appear to have been opened, much less checked out by a patron. They are there for children and teens to "discover."
At the May 10, 2023 Botetourt Library Board meeting the Virginia Library Association’s Executive Director Lisa Varga stated that books for selection should (1) come from reputable publishers.
Some of the books in question are published by Wise Ink Creative Publishing. Wise Ink has only eleven employees, all women, and is located in Minneapolis. What makes them reputable?
And Lisa Varga continued that books for selection should (2) have starred reviews. What are the ALA’s recommended reviewing sources?
All of them are progressive organizations.
Our Library Director has added the following titles (often with multiple copies at different branches) which seek to sexualize children or introduce children and teens to alternative lifestyles. This list is based on books currently in our libraries published and thus acquired since she was hired in 2019. There are similar books in our collection published before 2019 but we do not know when they were added so they are not included in this list.
5 worlds Volume 3 for ages 8-12 published in 2019
5 worlds Volume 4 for ages 8-12 published in 2020
5 worlds Volume 5 for ages 8-12 published in 2022
6 Times We Almost Kissed (and one time we did) for ages 14 and over published in 2023
A Home for Goddesses and Dogs for ages 10-14 published in 2022
A Million to One for ages 13-17 published 2022
A Storm for Horses for ages 6-12 published in 2022
Aaron Slater, Illustrator for ages 4-7 published in 2021
ABC Pride for ages 3-5 published in 2022
Aces Wild : a Heist for ages 14-17 published in 2022
Agent 9 Volume 1 for ages 7-10 published in 2021
Agent 9 Volume 2 for ages 7-10 published in 2022
Agents of S.L.A.M. for ages 9-12 published in 2022
Alice Austen Lived Here for ages 9-12 published in 2022
All Boys Aren’t Blue for ages 13 and over published in 2020
And They Lived . . . for ages 14-17 published in 2022
Animorphs Volume 4 for ages 8-12 published in 2023
Anna on the Edge for ages 8-12 published in 2021
Anne: an Adaptation of Anne of Green Gables (sort of) for ages 8-12 published in 2022
Answers in the Pages for ages 8-12 published in 2022
Any Way the Wind Blows for ages 14-18 published in 2021
Barb the Last Berzerker Book 1 for ages 8-12 published in 2021
Barb the Last Berzerker Book 2 for ages 8-12 published in 2022
Barb the Last Berzerker Book 3 for ages 8-12 published in 2023
Batcat for ages 6-9 published in 2023
Bathe the Cat for ages 2-6 published in 2022
Becoming a Queen for ages 13 and over published in 2023
Being You: a First Conversation about Gender for ages 2-5 published in 2021
Bird & Squirrel Volume 5 for ages 6-9 published in 2019
Bird & Squirrel Volume 6 for ages 6-9 published in 2020
Bird & Squirrel Volume 7 for ages 6-9 published in 2022
Birthday for ages 13-18 published in 2019
Blood Debts for ages 13-18 published in 2023
Bodies are Cool for ages 2-5 published in 2021
Born Ready: the True Story of a Boy named Penelope for ages 4-8 published in 2021
Bug Boys Volume 1 for ages 7-10 published in 2020
Bug Boys Volume 2 for ages 7-10 published in 2021
Bug Scouts Volume 1 for ages 6-8 published in 2022
Bug Scouts Volume 2 for ages 6-8 published in 2022
Candidly Cline for ages 8-12 published in 2021
Castle in the Stars Volume 3 for ages 10-14 published in 2019
Catwad Volume 1 for ages 7-9 published in 2019
Catwad Volume 4 for ages 7-9 published in 2020
Catwad Volume 6 for ages 7-9 published in 2021
Cleopatra in Space Volume 5 for ages 7-13 published in 2019
Cleopatra in Space Volume 6 for ages 7-13 published in 2020
Cool for the Summer for ages 14 and over published in 2021
Different Families for ages 5-7 published in 2019
Different for Boys for ages 14-17 published in 2023
Different Kinds of Fruit for ages 10-14 published in 2023
Dog Man Volume 6 for ages 7-9 published in 2019
Dog Man Volume 7 for ages 7-9 published in 2019
Dog Man Volume 8 for ages 7-9 published in 2019
Dog Man Volume 9 for ages 7-9 published in 2020
Dog Man Volume 10 for ages 7-9 published in 2021
Dog Man Volume 11 for ages 7-9 published in 2023
Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly Volume 1 for ages 5-9 published in 2021
Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly Volume 2 for ages 5-9 published in 2021
Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly Volume 3 for ages 5-9 published in 2021
Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly Volume 4 for ages 5-9 published in 2021
Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly Volume 5 for ages 5-9 published in 2021
Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly Volume 6 for ages 5-9 published in 2021
Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly Volume 7 for ages 5-9 published in 2022
Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly Volume 8 for ages 5-9 published in 2022
Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly Volume 9 for ages 5-9 published in 2023
Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly Volume 10 for ages 5-9 published in 2023
Dungeon Club for ages 8-12 published in 2022
Dungeon Explorers for ages 10-13 published 2021
Ellen Outside the Lines for ages 8-12 published in 2022
Expedition Backyard : exploring nature from country to city for ages 4-8 published in 2022
Felix Ever After for ages 14 and over added in 2021
FGTeeV Presents for ages 6-9 published in 2020
Firekeeper's Daughter for ages 14-18 published in 2021
Flamer for ages 14-18 published in 2020
For Lamb for ages 14-17 published in 2023
Forever… for ages 14 and over added in 2021
Frankie & Bug for ages 8-12 published in 2022
Fred Gets Dresses for ages 3-6 published in 2021
From Dust, a Flame for ages 14-17 published in 2022
Game Changer for ages 14-17 published in 2021
Geronimo Stilton, Reporter Volume 3 for ages 7-12 published in 2019
Geronimo Stilton, Reporter Volume 4 for ages 7-12 published in 2020
Geronimo Stilton, Reporter Volume 5 for ages 7-12 published in 2020
Geronimo Stilton, Reporter Volume 11 for ages 7-12 published in 2022
Geronimo Stilton, Reporter Volume 12 for ages 7-12 published in 2022
Girls like Girls for ages 13-18 published in 2023
Girls of Storm and Shadow for ages 10 and over published in 2019
Girls of Fate and Fury for ages 10 and over published in 2021
Grace needs space! for ages 8-12 published in 2023
Growing up LGBTQ for ages 11-17 published in 2019
Hell Followed With Us for ages 14-17 published in 2022
Here's to Us for ages 14-17 published in 2021
Hija del Guardián del Fuego for ages 14-17 published in 2022
Hilo Volume 5 for ages 8-12 published in 2019
Hilo Volume 6 for ages 8-12 published in 2020
Hilo Volume 7 for ages 8-12 published in 2021
Hilo Volume 8 for ages 8-12 published in 2022
Hilo Volume 9 for ages 8-12 published in 2023
Hot Dog Girl for ages 12-17 published in 2019
I Kissed Shara Wheeler: a novel for ages 13-18 published in 2022
I was Born for This for ages 14-18 published in 2022
Infinity Son for ages 14-17 published in 2020
Into the Cave for ages 10-13 published in 2021
It Feels Good to be Yourself: a book about gender identity for ages 4-7 published in 2019
Juniper Harvey and the Vanishing Kingdom for ages 8-12 published in 2023
Kind like Marsha: learning from LGBTQ+ leaders for ages 4-8 published in 2022
King and the Dragonflies for ages 8-12 published in 2022
Kingdom of Ash for ages 13 and over published in 2023
Lakelore for ages 13-18 published in 2022
Land of Stories for ages 8-11 published in 2021
Leon the Extraordinary for ages 8-12 published in 2022
Lightfall Book 1 for ages 8-12 published in 2020
Lightfall Book 2 for ages 8-12 published in 2022
Lightyear: the graphic novel for ages 6-8 published in 2022
Like a Love Story for ages 13 and over published in 2019
Lily Medialuna for ages 7-10 published in 2022
Loveless for ages 14-18 published in 2021
Lunch from Home for ages 3-6 published in 2021
Magic Tree House Volume 1 for ages 6-9 published in 2021
Magic Tree House Volume 2 for ages 6-9 published in 2021
Magic Tree House Volume 3 for ages 6-9 published in 2022
Magic Tree House Volume 4 for ages 6-9 published in 2022
Magic Tree House Volume 5 for ages 6-9 published in 2023
Making a Baby for ages 5-8 published in 2021
Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle for ages 3-7 published in 2022
Max Meow Volume 2 for ages 7-10 published in 2021
Max Meow Volume 3 for ages 7-10 published in 2021
Max Meow Volume 4 for ages 7-10 published in 2022
Max Meow Volume 5 for ages 7-10 published in 2023
Middle School's a Drag, You Better Werk! For ages 10-12 published in 2022
Mighty Jack Volume 3 for ages 8-12 published in 2019
Miles Morales: a Spiderman graphic novel for ages 7-10 published in 2022
Mimi Volume 1 for ages 6-8 published in 2022
Mimi Volume 2 for ages 6-8 published in 2023
Minecraft: Wither Without You Volume 1 for ages 8-12 published in 2020
Minecraft: Wither Without You Volume 2 for ages 8-12 published in 2021
Minecraft: Wither Without You Volume 3 for ages 8-12 published in 2021
Minecraft Volume 1 for ages 7-10 published in 2019
Minecraft Volume 3 for ages 7-10 published in 2021
Minecraft: Open World for ages 8-12 published in 2022
More than Maybe for ages 14-18 published in 2020
Mr. Watson's Chickens for ages 2-5 published in 2021
My Aunt is a Monster for ages 8-12 published in 2022
My Own Way for ages 3-6 published in 2022
My Slime is Alive! for ages 8-11 published in 2021
Nick and Charlie for ages 14 and over published in 2023
Nico Bravo Volume 1 for ages 8-12 published in 2019
Nico Bravo Volume 2 for ages 8-12 published in 2020
No Filter and Other Lies for ages 14-17 published in 2022
No Way, They were Gay? : hidden lives and secret loves for ages 11-18 published in 2021
Nothing Burns as Bright as You for ages 12-18 published in 2022
Pet for ages 12-17 published in 2019
Phoebe and Her Unicorn Volume 10 for ages 6-10 published in 2019
Phoebe and Her Unicorn Volume 11 for ages 6-10 published in 2020
Phoebe and Her Unicorn Volume 12 for ages 6-10 published in 2020
Phoebe and Her Unicorn Volume 13 for ages 6-10 published in 2021
Phoebe and Her Unicorn Volume 16 for ages 6-10 published in 2022
Phoebe and Her Unicorn Volume 17 for ages 6-10 published in 2023
Pink, Blue, and You! Questions for Kids about Gender for ages 4-8 published in 2022
Plants vs. Zombies Volume 12 for ages 8-12 published in 2019
Plants vs. Zombies Volume 13 for ages 8-12 published in 2019
Plants vs. Zombies Volume 14 for ages 8-12 published in 2019
Plants vs. Zombies Volume 15 for ages 8-12 published in 2020
Plants vs. Zombies Volume 17 for ages 8-12 published in 2020
Plants vs. Zombies Volume 18 for ages 8-12 published in 2021
Plants vs. Zombies Volume 19 for ages 8-12 published in 2021
Plants vs. Zombies Volume 20 for ages 8-12 published in 2023
Plants vs. Zombies Volume 21 for ages 8-12 published in 2023
Plants vs. Zombies Volume 22 for ages 8-12 published in 2023
Pokémon: Battle with the Ultra Beast for ages 6-8 published in 2019
Pokémon: Gotta Catcha What for ages 6-8 published in 2022
Pokémon Adventures XY Volume 2 for ages 11 and over published in 2022
Pokémon Adventures XY Volume 3 for ages 11 and over published in 2022
Pokémon Adventures XY Volume 4 for ages 11 and over published in 2023
Pokémon Adventures XY Volume 5 for ages 11 and over published in 2023
Pokémon Adventures XY Volume 6 for ages 11 and over published in 2023
Pokémon Journeys Volume 2 for ages 8-11 published in 2022
Pokémon Journeys Volume 4 for ages 8-11 published in 2022
PopularMMO's: Enter the Mine for ages 8-12 published in 2019
PopularMMO's: Zombies' Day Off for ages 8-12 published in 2020
PopularMMOs: Into the Overworld for ages 8-12 published in 2021
PopularMMOs: The End of all the Things for ages 8-12 published in 2022
Pride: an Inspirational History of the LGBTQ+ Movement for ages 10-13 published in 2022
Pumpkin for ages 13-17 published in 2021
Queer: the ultimate LGBTQ guide for teens for ages 11-18 published in 2019
Queer Ducks (and other animals): the natural world of animal sex for ages 14-17 published in 2023
Rema Chronicles for ages 8-12 published in 2022
Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear for ages 8-12 published in 2021
Secret Hero Society Volume 4 for ages 8-12 published in 2019
Secret Hero Society Volume 5 for ages 8-12 published in 2019
Seeing Gender for ages 14 and over published in 2022
Sharice’s Big Voice for ages 4-8 published in 2021
She Gets the Girl for ages 14 and over published in 2023
She is a Haunting for ages 13-17 published in 2023
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power for ages 8 and over published in 2020
Space-time Volume 1 for ages 8-12 published in 2020
Space-time Volume 2 for ages 8-12 published in 2021
Spidey and his Amazing Friends DVD for ages 4-6 released in 2021
Spidey and his Amazing Friends Construction Destruction for ages 4-6 published in 2022
Spidey and his Amazing Friends Let’s Swing for ages 4-6 published in 2023
Spy School Volume 1 for ages 9-12 published in 2022
Spy School Volume 2 for ages 9-12 published in 2023
Star Wars: Tales from the Rancor Pit for ages 13-18 published in 2022
Stay Gold for ages 14-17 published in 2020
Strong for ages 3 and over published in 2022
Survive the Dome for ages 14-18 published in 2022
Teen Titans Go!, DC super hero girls for ages 8-12 published in 2022
Thanks a lot, Universe for ages 10-14 published in 2021
The 39 clues for ages 8-12 published in 2023
The Bad Guys Book 8 for ages 6-8 published in 2019
The Bad Guys Book 9 for ages 6-8 published in 2019
The Bad Guys Book 11 for ages 6-8 published in 2020
The Bad Guys Book 12 for ages 6-8 published in 2020
The Bad Guys Book 13 for ages 6-8 published in 2021
The Bad Guys Book 14 for ages 6-8 published in 2021
The Bad Guys Book 15 for ages 6-8 published in 2022
The Bad Guys Book 16 for ages 6-8 published in 2022
The Bad Guys Book 17 for ages 6-8 published in 2023
The Bad Guys Book 18 for ages 6-8 published in 2023
The Best at It for ages 8=12 published in 2019
The Black Flamingo for ages 14-17 published in 2020
The Cardboard Kingdom for ages 9-12 published in 2021
The Dead and the Dark for ages 13-18 published in 2021
The Deepest Breath for ages 8-12 published in 2021
The Derby Daredevils: Kenzie Kickstarts a Team for ages 8-12 published in 2021
The Every Body book: the LGBTQ+ inclusive guide for kids about sex, etc. for ages 8-12 published in 2020
The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza for ages 7-10 published in 2022
The First to Die at the End for ages 13 and over published in 2022
The Gravity of Us for ages 13-17 published in 2020
The Last Kids on Earth and the Midnight Blade for ages 8-11 published in 2019
The Last Kids on Earth and the Skeleton Road for ages 8-11 published in 2020
The Last Kids on Earth and the Doomsday Race for ages 8-11 published in 2021
The Last Kids on Earth Book 6.5 for ages 8-11 published in 2021
The Last Kids on Earth and the Forbidden Fortress for ages 8-11 published in 2022
The Last Kids on Earth and the Monster Dimension for ages 8-11 published in 2023
The List of Things that will not Change for ages 8-12 published in 2020
The Long Run for ages 17 and over published in 2023
The Love & Lies of Rukhsana Ali for ages 14 and over published in 2019
The Lucky List for ages 12 and over published in 2021
The Magic Misfits: The Second Story for ages 8 to 12 published in 2019
The Meaning of Pride for ages 4-7 published in 2022
The Minor Third Book 3 for ages 8-11 published in 2019
The Monster Sisters for ages 9-12 published in 2019
The Moon is Up for ages 8-12 published in 2019
The Moon Within for ages 9-12 published in 2019
The Moth Keeper for ages 8-12 published in 2023
The Music of What Happens for ages 14 and over published in 2019
The Overworld Beckons for ages 10-13 published in 2021
The Pathfinders Society Book 2 for ages 8-12 published in 2021
The Pathfinders Society Book 3 for ages 8-12 published in 2022
The Pronoun Book for ages 5-9 published in 2021
The Rainbow Parade for ages 2-5 published in 2022
The Sunbearer Trials for ages 13-18 published in 2022
The Way of the Hive: a honeybee's story for ages 8-12 published in 2021
This is our Rainbow: 16 stories of her, him, them, and us for ages 8-12 published in 2023
This was our Pact for ages 8-11 published in 2019
Tiger Honor for ages 8-12 published in 2023
Together: A First Conversation about Love for ages 2-5 published in 2022
Valiant Ladies for ages 13-18 published in 2022
Verona Comics for ages 12-17 published in 2020
W.I.T.C.H. Part V for ages 8-12 published in 2019
W.I.T.C.H. Part VII for ages 8-12 published in 2021
W.I.T.C.H. Part VIII for ages 8-12 published in 2021
Warriors Volume 1 for ages 8-12 published in 2020
Warriors Volume 2 for ages 8-12 published in 2021
We Contain Multitudes for ages 14 and over published in 2019
We Deserve Monuments for ages 14-18 published in 2022
We Set the Dark on Fire for ages 14-17 published in 2019
We Used to be Friends for ages 14 and over published in 2020
What are your Words?: a book about pronouns for ages 4-8 published in 2021
What's the T?: the guide to all things trans and/or nonbinary for ages 14-17 published in 2022
When We were Magic for ages 14 and over published in 2020
Where Darkness Blooms for ages 16 and over published in 2023
Who was Harvey Milk? for ages 8-12 published in 2020
Wildflowers for ages 6-9 published in 2021
Wingbearer for ages 8-12 published in 2022
Wings of Fire Book 1 for ages 8-11 published in 2020 (large print)
Wings of Fire Book 2 for ages 8-11 published in 2020 (large print)
Wings of Fire Book 3 for ages 8-11 published in 2020 (large print)
Wings of Fire Book 12 for ages 8-11 published in 2020
Wings of Fire Book 13 for ages 8-11 published in 2020
Wings of Fire Book 14 for ages 8-11 published in 2020
Wings of Fire Book 15 for ages 8-11 published in 2022
You Should See Me in a Crown for ages 12-18 published in 2020
You Do You for ages 11-18 published in 2019
You Know, Sex for ages 10-14 published in 2022
That's 286 titles. Many titles were gleaned from a file provided by the County from June 2023 in response to a request for children's and teens books with LGBTQ subject matter (by their determination). Some of those books seem harmless but the issue can be as insidious as the introduction and normalization of characters who are non-binary to young children. The fundamental concern is not that there are books we don't "like"; the issue is our libraries are acquiring books that are part of an agenda to introduce children to materials that will sexualize and/or confuse them about who they are and what they should believe. Our focus has been on uncovering books that can lead to children being sexually exploited.
"Requests for Reconsideration" (how to file a complaint about a book)
If a citizen has an issue with a book in the system he or she can request that the book be “reconsidered”.
Here is the process and form: Reconsideration-Form (botetourtva.gov)
You are expected to read the ALA's Bill of Rights, the ALA's Freedom to Read Statement, and then fill out a "book report" on the book in question. The request must be presented to and discussed with the Library Director.
The official request for reconsideration is then conducted by two professional librarians and a member of the Library Board. Their recommendation is made to the Library Director. The Library Director can either follow the recommendation or ignore it. The Library Director, in the case of our current Library Director Julie Philips, would have approved the purchase of any books since her arrival in 2019, thereby serving as prosecutor, judge, and jury when making a final decision.
Prior to her arrival there were no requests for removal. Since then, there have been 13 requests and in every case the books were not removed and the citizens received rejection form letters.
After receiving those requests for removal our Library Director has made the process even more stringent.
The ALA and the Virginia Library Association’s websites offer suggestions on how to make book removal more difficult and talking points on how to marginalize people who make requests as well as what cost to quote for going through the removal process: Intellectual Freedom Committee (vla.org)
The Library Board
The Library Board, or Board of Trustees, is composed of five citizens appointed by the five County Supervisors. In theory, they are supposed to represent the community. In fact, they are all retired librarians or teachers and progressives. By definition, a Board of Trustees is supposed to be a governing body, in this case overseeing the Library Director and her actions. In fact, they rubber stamp every proposal put forward by the Library Director. See for yourself. Attend the next Library Board meeting: Board of Trustees | Botetourt County, VA (botetourtva.gov)
De-Selection (when librarians remove books or other materials)
The process to remove existing books as new books are added is on the surface an objective process. The criteria for something to be removed:
This past year over 18,000 books and other materials were removed from the Botetourt County libraries. That includes hundreds of children's picture books to make way for new additions. The list includes titles such as Fun with Dick and Jane, The Civil War by Shelby Foote, Billy Graham, God's Ambassador, and A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
Show me your papers
Our libraries hide behind the policy that children under the age of 13 cannot be in the library without a caregiver who is 18 or older. Are children to be carded when they enter or when they try to check out a book? And what are they being protected from? The message is if a child pulls a book off the shelf before a parent can intervene then it is the parent's fault.
In addition, from the County's Ministry of Truth (BOCO Facts 4 U):
Children access materials only with their parents’ consent, since the parent takes full responsibility for their children’s activity in the library and has full control of minors’ library accounts until they turn 18.
The library will issue a library card for a child of any age with a caregiver's consent. But the child is then free to check out any material he or she desires without a parent. The assumption is a parent will come behind and monitor the child's account until he or she turns 18. Is that realistic? Especially if parents recall when they were children at the library and assume things are still safe.
Finally, what's to keep a child or teen from tracking down a desired book and then finding a nice private location in the library to read to his or her heart's content?
Emily Drabinski, in her own words, on what can happen when you "discover" the right book at the library:
"Queers of all kinds have always found a home in the library. Books are often the first refuge of the outsider, and the trope of feeling alone until finding that single magical book on the library shelves that makes the self make sense is a common one. (Mine was Tom Robbins’ Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, when I was around 14. When Sissy Hankshaw and Bonanza Jellybean had fantastic queer sex in a field, so fantastic it caused the cranes to alter their migration patterns, my body told me I was probably whatever that was!)" Full article (which also shows Drabinski's admiration for Michel Foucault who called for the decriminalization of all consensual sexual relations between adults and minors): (PDF) Gendered S(h)elves: Body and Identity in the Library | Emily Drabinski - Academia.edu
Sign at the entrance to the Buchanan library
Safe from what?
We need your consent to load the translations
We use a third-party service to translate the website content that may collect data about your activity. Please review the details in the privacy policy and accept the service to view the translations.