Huntsville Public Library (TX) Privatized After Pride Display

[Nevilledog]

https://bookriot.com/huntsville-public-library-privatization/

The Huntsville Public Library (HPL) has been under fire since this summer, when a book display riled up city officials. Now, following the removal of two book displays at the public library, the city decided to privatize the library.

Though officials claim the move to hire Library Services & Systems (LS&S) will reduce library operational costs over the next ten years, it comes on the heels of the city removing a Pride book display and a Banned Books Week display in September. City Manager Aron Kulhavy called for the displays to be taken down, temporarily closing the library. Following the removal of both displays, the library was told they could not create any additional displays, pending the city’s review of policies and procedures about them. The City Librarian was also placed on leave.

When asked why the displays were taken down, Kulhavy said it was to “better respond to citizen concerns from all viewpoints.”

In October, a library user identified additional suspicious behavior. A city police officer was behind the circulation desk reviewing books, reportedly taking one with him and approving the rest of the titles as ones that were okay to return to the collection. The library board has had no say in any of these decisions.

*snip*

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

1. There will be no MLK displays, women rights displays or Latina/o displays during the approp. months

either. No books on veganism or environmental issues on display.

[diva77]

2. Privatizing the Public Libraries -- didn't occur to me with all the book banning

Dems definitely need to add this to their messaging regarding book-banning

[ZonkerHarris]

3. Sorry to the DUers there and Democratic Texans but Fuck Texas

[Chainfire]

4. Just burn the damn offensive books, you know that is what is coming.

Anything that shows Blacks, Browns, Jews, or gays in a positive way is verboten. The Christian White folk just don't approve and if you don't like the way that they think, move....

[walkingman]

5. Sadly, the librarian at the Huntsville Library is a personal friend. After her husband died

she went back to school and became a librarian (about 15 years ago) - she had always been a avid reader and they had moved to Huntsville after he retired. He got cancer and passed away in his early 60's. She is a great lady and an amazing librarian. During this period she received death threats and ugly comments.

This seems to be an epidemic here in Texas. A few loud-mouthed self-righteous people are are making Texas look like a shithole state. Although there a lot of dumbasses here there are also a lot of good people.