Hillsborough’s Ban on Library Homosexual Displays Not Unique

Opposing Ban at Read-In
Jul 22, 2005
Librarians Hit The Books To Oppose County’s Ban On Gay-Pride Display
BY GRETCHEN PARKER and JULIE PACE
The Tampa Tribune

TAMPA – Meagan Albright went to WestGate Library on Thursday night to read – and to protest.
She silently paged through a book while sitting next to a sign that said, “Let Librarians Display All Kinds of Books.”
Albright was joined by about 20 others who protested equally quietly.
Last month, a display of gay literature designed by Albright, a part-time librarian and graduate student in library science, prompted the Hillsborough County Commission to adopt a policy banning county-sponsored acknowledgment of gay pride.
Also Thursday, in an e-mail to its 1,500 members, the Florida Library Association declared the county off-limits for its members’ meetings, conferences and workshops until the commission rescinds its policy.
It’s a stepped-up response to the commission’s policy, which prompted the director of the county library system to take down Albright’s display, as well as two other library displays of gay-themed and gay- authored books. Earlier, the association voiced objections in a letter to the county commission and asked the board to reconsider its action.
The boycott is a “more powerful tool than just expressing concern,” said Nancy Pike, president of the association and director of the Sarasota County library system.
“As small as our economic impact might be, it’s what we have,” Pike said.
The association’s board approved the resolution in an e-mail vote last week.
The association immediately canceled a two-day meeting of its executive board, which was set for Aug. 25-26 at a library in New Tampa. The 30 to 35 attendees instead will report to Sarasota, where some will stay overnight at a local hotel there, Pike said.
Librarians who belong to the association meet about once a month in Hillsborough County. The association holds its annual conference in a rotating cast of cities, but no conventions will be set for Tampa until the policy is rescinded, Pike said. The conference draws about 900 librarians and staffers for 3 1/2 days.
County Commissioner Kathy Castor, the only board member to vote against the policy last month, said: “That’s what happens when you pass a discriminatory policy without giving much thought to it.”
Commissioner Thomas Scott said he hadn’t heard about the boycott. He said the responses he’s heard are evenly split for and against the policy.
At Thursday’s protest, Martin Sicard, a Hillsborough school librarian, said he expects more groups to support the boycott.
“This is just the beginning,” Sicard said. “Economics is really the only way you’re going to get anything to change.”
Sicard organized the silent protest of librarians and educators at WestGate. They gathered to read the books that were taken down from Albright’s display. Sicard said he got permission from the library staff to reserve the meeting room for the protest.
One of the participants was Mel Pace, associate director of the school of library science at USF, who said the county’s policy is a threat to the future of libraries.
“This is about the mission of the library system, which is a uniquely American system,” Pace said.
The county’s policy, which bans county departments from “acknowledging, promoting and participating” in gay pride events, has drawn the ire of librarians nationwide, who say it jeopardizes their freedom to choose books they supply and promote.
On Wednesday, the commission heard from about 20 residents who object to the policy. Without commenting, the commission declined to reconsider it.
Reporter Mark Holan contributed to this story. Reporter Gretchen Parker can be reached at (813) 259-7562. Reporter Julie Pace can be reached at (813) 865-1505.

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