METROPOLIS, IL (WSIL) 鈥� Things got heated Tuesday night during the public comment portion at the Metropolis Library Board of Trustees meeting. Two groups were weighing in those in favor of the board's vote to adopt a Library Bill of Rights. While some were questioning its approval and what they believe it could mean for their town.
"The concerns that are being raised are not there,鈥� said Brian Anderson, pastor for Eastland Life Church in Metropolis.
A group of about 30 people gathered outside the Metropolis Public Library holding signs and showing support for the library when it comes to being more inclusive.
"It's important for people to care about what's happening within their communities,鈥� said lifetime Metropolis resident, Camellia Cornwell.
Those gathered are concerned some within the board are trying to push more of a religious ideology by wanting to see some books banned.
Cornwell says she's concerned about the direction it seems some on the board and in the community want to take the library.
鈥淚f you ban books you're stifling your kids' education,鈥� said Cornwell.
Another issue those protesting were concerned about was rumors that someone was going to privatize the library.
"Privatizing the public library is just out of the question because they consider certain elements evil,鈥� said protester Sandra Pfeifer. 鈥淟GBTQ is a big no-no for them."
Pastor Anderson agrees.
"There's no religious institution trying to purchase the library,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t's not going to be privatized."
鈥淎pproximately 100 people attended the board meeting with several of them speaking in favor of the library being more tolerant to all.
"We need to have tolerance and I'm thinking, it doesn't matter if it's a girl, or a gay person or a trans person, whoever they are, they deserve to see themselves within the library and have tolerance and accepted by everyone and see that tolerance,鈥� said one woman attending the meeting.
Several at the meeting spoke up against a letter to the editor printed in the local paper by Pastor Anderson.
"In a letter to the editor in the Planet raised fears of leftists pushing sexualized content in the libraries. In this context, sexualized content often means the mere existence of gay and trans people,鈥� said a guy speaking up at the meeting.
While those speaking up against such rhetoric when it comes to banning books on these subjects, pastor Anderson says, he's not in favor of banning books.
"When you start banning books, usually one of the books that starts getting banned is the ones I like so no I'm not for that at all,鈥� said Anderson.
One parent who attended the meeting says, one of her biggest concerns is the placement of some books she believes should not be seen by children.
鈥淚 just don鈥檛 want my children exposed to any kind of sexuality because I think that鈥檚 just not something our public library is responsible for doing. That鈥檚 a parent鈥檚 job,鈥� said Sandra Andrea.
