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Nora Roberts donates $50,000 to save library defunded by residents over LGBTQ books [1]
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Date: 2022-09-06
As some context for how in the world we got here, back in early August, residents of Jamestown voted to defund the library because of a handful of LGBTQ+ books available on the shelves. If you’re guessing this was part of the anti-queer “grooming” hysteria being spouted off by the right, you’d be correct. The town has a millage model for funding the library, meaning that about 85% of the library’s budget came from a share of taxes from the town. By defunding the millage, residents effectively defunded the library entirely.
"Libraries and librarians should be valued and celebrated,” Roberts wrote. “Never attacked and demeaned. 50k is the limit GoFundMe allows for donations. If you’re short of your goal, please contact me. I’ll make up the rest."
Roberts described the donation as an “honor” to stand up for the library and its staff via a statement to Bridge Michigan. She went on to say librarians are the “guardians” of stories and that she finds it “appalling and sad” that librarians are facing attacks and threats.
A publicist for Roberts, Laura Reeth, shared her perspective on Roberts’ donation in a blog post. She wrote that she grew up walking to her local library and that she remembers it being a “magical place” where she could “fill up” her days with stories.
The next vote regarding restoring the millage happens on Nov. 8. Sadly, this library isn’t alone in facing threats, harassment, and even protests. Conservatives are doubling down hard on anti-LGBTQ+ extremism through banning books, and teachers and librarians—who are already overworked and burdened by misguided hate—are struggling to protect their students and themselves.
Local elections truly matter so much, and this anti-book movement is just one of many examples of why we need to stay involved in local politics and school board meetings. Education depends on it.
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