Stone Library has been drawn into a countywide row over public library displays after A Little Bit of Stone was told a Pride Month flag and themed book display had been removed from the library.
Staffordshire County Council has now said all displays that do not promote the core library offer or wider council services have been paused while the use of library display space is reviewed.
The authority said the pause includes Pride displays, but also applies to other discretionary displays.
The council has stressed that no LGBTQ+ books or materials have been removed from its libraries and that residents can still borrow, reserve and request titles as before.
A county council spokesperson said a decision to review and refocus the use of library display space was made by the Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture.
They added
“While the review takes place, all displays that do not promote the core library offer or wider council services have been paused; this has included Pride displays but applies to all other discretionary displays too.
“A wide range of books and materials can be loaned from us. These cover topics and authors of interest to the LGBTQ+ community and many others.
“No books or materials have been removed from the library. A community impact assessment will be carried out as part of the review.”
The issue has prompted wider questions about what Staffordshire libraries, including Stone Library, will be able to display in future. These could include book displays, awareness months, local information, community campaigns, charity material and events linked to protected groups.
Protesters voiced concerns about Staffordshire County Council’s decision to stop Pride displays in public libraries outside a meeting of senior members on Wednesday 17 June.
Messages of support for the LGBTQ+ community and rainbow colours were on display outside Stafford’s County Buildings, alongside a banner calling for four councillors who have come under fire for alleged posts on social media, which are not connected with the library decision, to stand down.
One of the protesters said they felt “physically sick” following reports that Pride displays had been removed from libraries in recent days.
They added
“I was utterly disgusted.
“I was at school in the 1990s and early 2000s during Section 28 (an amendment to the Local Government Act 1988 which prevented teachers from discussing LGBTQ+ issues with pupils between 1988 and 2003). If you had any questions about sexuality you couldn’t get any help from school.
“It was a really difficult time for me, I didn’t fully understand who I am until my 20s. Not being able to share information about our history is blatant censorship, removing Pride displays is not a politically neutral act.”
An online petition started less than a week ago, calling on Staffordshire County Council to reverse any policy that prevents libraries and other council services from displaying materials that recognise and celebrate LGBTQ+ communities and other protected groups during awareness and heritage months, has now gained well over 2,900 signatures.
But the matter was not discussed by cabinet members at their meeting on Wednesday.
Council leader Martin Murray has taken to social media to state that Pride events will no longer be promoted in the county’s public libraries, following claims in recent days that displays had been removed.
In a social media post this week, Councillor Murray said
“There has been a lot of commentary, and unfortunately, quite some politicisation about Staffordshire libraries in recent days. Let me first make one point very clear: no books have been removed from your library shelves, no authors have been pulled from the catalogue, no titles have been placed off-limits.
“Our new Staffordshire County Council Libraries Strategy will focus on core services and will no longer use taxpayer-funded resources, sites and communications channels to promote any particular group, cause or identity. That applies consistently to every group and every cause.
“Your library services belong to everyone in Staffordshire equally, they are not there to promote or privilege particular groups, causes or identities, however well-intentioned. As such, Pride events will no longer be promoted in our public libraries.”
Councillor Hayley Coles, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture, previously said
“Staffordshire’s libraries are for everyone. They give local people access to books, digital resources, advice, activities and council services, and they are increasingly becoming community hubs where people can learn, connect and get practical support.
“As part of that approach, we are applying a consistent approach across our libraries on how public display space is used. Displays will focus on the core library offer, local services, reading and learning.
“Our priority is to keep libraries welcoming, useful and accessible to everyone.”
Pride Month celebrates diversity and commemorates the history of the LGBTQ+ community, coinciding with the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots of 1969 in the US.
Community events are set to take place in Stoke on Trent this weekend and the Staffordshire Moorlands later this month, with Stafford Pride being held in August.
Staffordshire County Council came under the control of Reform UK following last year’s council elections.
The petition against the policy stated
“We call on Staffordshire County Council to reverse any policy that prevents libraries and other council services from displaying materials that recognise and celebrate LGBTQ+ communities and other protected groups during awareness and heritage months.
“Libraries are places of learning, inclusion, and representation. Their role is to reflect the diverse communities they serve, ensuring that everyone can see themselves represented and welcomed.
“Displays marking occasions such as LGBTQ+ History Month, Pride Month, Black History Month, Disability History Month, and other awareness events are not political statements. They are expressions of visibility, education, community engagement, and equality.
“LGBTQ+ people are not an ideology, they are members of our communities, families, workplaces, schools, and public services. Recognising their existence and contributions is not political campaigning; it is a reflection of reality and a commitment to equal treatment.”
Damon Hoppe, who was protesting outside County Buildings on Wednesday, said
“It’s not just affecting the LGBTQ+ community, it’s going to affect Black History Month and International Women’s Day. I just couldn’t believe it in this day and age.”
Stafford Pride Chairman Jack Taylor Walker said in an open letter to council leader Martin Murray
“You must overturn this vile decision and apologise to not only our community but your library staff and volunteers.”
Eight Staffordshire MPs, Jacob Collier, Sarah Edwards, Dr Allison Gardner, Leigh Ingham, Adam Jogee, Josh Newbury, Dave Robertson and David Williams, have also written to Councillor Murray to raise concerns about the claims of LGBTQ+ displays being removed from Staffordshire’s libraries.
They said in their joint letter
“If this is the case, we are calling for you to immediately reverse this harmful decision and reinstate Pride month displays and activities across Staffordshire’s library network.
“Public libraries are a valued source of information, education, and community. Taking down displays would send a clear and harmful message to LGBTQ+ library users and staff that their stories and community do not deserve to be celebrated, or even acknowledged, in public spaces.”
A Little Bit of Stone has reached out to Stone MP, Sir Gavin Williamson, for comment on the matter – we will update the story when we receive a response.
