I have a master of arts in information science and learning technology. While my children were young, I worked on my degree with the intention of securing employment in a library once my children were older. I was overjoyed to realize this dream once I was employed by my local public library. I was employed by this library for nearly five years, three of which were as the children’s collection librarian, my dream job.
Yet the inner conflict between my Christian faith and the LGBT movement that is becoming more and more prominently portrayed in newly published children’s books caused me to increasingly consider walking away from this job I worked for years to secure. That moment came a couple of weeks ago when I tearfully handed in my letter of resignation to my director.
In the letter, I stated, “I have enjoyed all aspects of my job … but it is time for me to be done. As the world continues to change its perspective in many areas, including gender identity, it has become clearer to me that I can no longer do my job effectively; my faith, and therefore my conscience, will not allow it.”
All caregivers of children who adore their library as much as I do should know that the LGBT agenda has infiltrated even books for babies, and therefore, public library children’s story times in some areas. Books for children do this now even without explicitly mentioning sex, such as this 2022 Christmas picture book about a dog owned by homosexual men. Books such as the Kitty-Corn series subtly encourage the ideology underlying transgenderism, even without mentioning sex or gender, like many other newer books libraries are buying for very young children.
Apparently aware of public disapproval of sexually themed books aimed at small children, industry book reviewers who are highly influential in library purchasing decisions are getting more deceptive in spelling this out in their book reviews. It is also getting harder for librarians to tiptoe around this topic when using these reviews (scroll down to “Editorial Reviews”) when selecting children’s books to put on the library’s shelves. This is true whether you go into a small public library like mine or into a big-city library.
This deceptiveness in both children’s book publishing and in the public library system for buying new books was making it more difficult for me to do my job confidently for my conservative rural community. It was also violating the principles upon which my faith is built, and therefore, my conscience. I cannot in good conscience use my public position and the public funds formerly entrusted to me to put books supporting gender dysphoria and sexuality on shelves where very small children browse.
When one works in a secular environment such as a public library, conservative justification for not selecting certain titles for the youngest, most vulnerable patrons can’t be heard. Making such a prudential decision to guard children’s souls from adult sexual information is seen as censorship in the library world.
I am in no way trying to demonize libraries, but I am sharing my story because sometimes, as a Christian, the best thing one can do when the world continues to “stop its ears” and “grind its teeth” (Acts 7:54–57) is to walk away and point to the cross of Christ while doing so. My library’s director hesitantly, but graciously, accepted my resignation, and I wish her no ill will.
While I believe in offering materials from differing viewpoints and was even reluctantly researching juvenile nonfiction books that tell about the LGBT movement from an unbiased historical perspective (haven’t found them yet), there is a certain line that I cannot cross. For me as a Christian and a pastor’s wife, that line is purchasing and making available to children books that falsify God’s good order of creation, His creation of male and female (Gen. 3:18-25), and His truth that we are fearfully and wonderfully made in His image (Psalm 139:14-16).
Fiction books that applaud “little Fred’s coming out” and making the “right” choice to dress up in Mommy’s clothing, complete with makeup, are becoming more and more commonplace in public libraries, and objections to such materials are professionally discouraged. As a children’s librarian, I cannot help make available such books for children today.
LGBT targeting of children is real, and it can be sneaky. Caregivers need to be aware of what is being published and what is being purchased by libraries, both school and public. We can’t shield our kids from everything, but we can be aware of what they may be exposed to and be prepared to discuss the topic when it arises — because it will at some point.
Some Christian parents are deluded to think that, just because we have “raised our children up in the way they should go,” they won’t be tempted to turn from it. Parents, please be aware of what your children are reading at the library. The Bible tells Christians to run from temptation and to protect the vulnerable, not to take it lightly.
To fellow Christians who find themselves, like me, having to turn their backs on a job they love because it creates conflicts with their Bible-instructed consciences, you can trust that God always provides for the needs of His children. The gospel reading at church the Sunday after my resignation reminded me of this.
I pray anyone who finds himself facing the same difficult decision I did will be comforted by Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:25-34: “Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink. … For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
