(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) The taxpayer-funded American Library Association has found itself at the center of a contentious controversy after bombshell evidence surfaced, suggesting that it is involved in a plot to block Christian and conservative parents from accessing public libraries.
Brave Books, a renowned conservative publisher known for hosting events focused on Christian literature, obtained exclusive evidence that includes a video featuring Deborah Caldwell-Stone, an executive at ALA. In the video, Caldwell-Stone directed individuals to weaponize loopholes with the aim of preventing groups like Brave Books from hosting Christian events.
During the “Library 2023 Worldwide Virtual Conference,” Caldwell-Stone reportedly urged viewers to reserve public library spaces on Aug. 5 to block an event by Christian author Kirk Cameron, who had recently released his book, As You Grow.
In her presentation, Caldwell-Stone referenced the ability to close meeting rooms and display cases to public use, stating that libraries have no obligation to provide such spaces for public events.
Brave Books took to Twitter, posting a thread that went viral, detailing Kirk Cameron’s experience of facing multiple rejections from more than 50 public libraries when attempting to host events for Christian families. Cameron directly accused the libraries of denying his requests because of his conservative and religious beliefs. At the same time, libraries were launching a widespread campaign embracing drag queen story hours and pushing a radical LGBT agenda.
“Kirk wrote to some of the public libraries expressing concern they were violating his free speech rights and threatened legal action. The libraries conceded, and the ‘BRAVE Books Story Hour’ tour began,” Brave Books stated.
3/ A little back story: In December last year, @KirkCameron requested to read his first BRAVE Books title, As You Grow, at over 50 public American libraries. The libraries denied him that opportunity because of his conservative and religious beliefs.
In response, Kirk wrote to… pic.twitter.com/8OVe3aIDWG
— BRAVE BOOKS (@BraveBooksUS) June 26, 2023
According to Brave Books, the ALA, a self-proclaimed non-partisan 501(C)(3) non-profit, received a substantial $211 million payout from the federal government in 2022. However, Brave Books criticized the non-profit, alleging that it openly endorsed radical gender ideology from the Democrat Party while maliciously working to obstruct events for Christian families, particularly children.
Brave Books also shared an email obtained separately, in which former librarian Kelly Jenson allegedly called on taxpayer-funded public libraries to bar conservative events. “If you’re a public library worker, now is the time to prepare for what could either be an onslaught or big nothing burger,” Jenson claimed in the article, according to a screenshot shared by Brave Books.
7/ The American Libraries Association’s message has been heard by librarians across the country. One former librarian-turned-radical writer, Kelly Jenson, wrote an article at Book Riot about how “public libraries need to prepare.”
Jenson suggests library staff meet with legal… pic.twitter.com/obpoJdMlsn
— BRAVE BOOKS (@BraveBooksUS) June 26, 2023
Brave Books ended its Twitter thread by acknowledging “that not all libraries are violating your free speech rights. Some have been professional and fair,” but coupled with guidance for sidelining any taxpayer-funded library from censoring free speech.
“If you have a suspicion your library is intentionally blocking you from hosting a “See You at the Library” event on August 5th, please contact us at [email protected]. We have guidance on what to do next.”
