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To the editor:

I have spent many happy hours in school and community libraries. It makes me sad to see libraries and their staff under assault in recent years.

However, I believe the subject matter of banning books has been a smokescreen keeping the real agenda from well- meaning library staff and trustees. It is hard to watch the literature sanctuaries I cherished suffer because of a hidden agenda.

As a teacher, all of my teaching units were integrated into high level children’s literature and connected to all subject areas and standards. I read aloud books like “Charlotte’s Web” to K-2 students and cherished watching them hug their own book fair copy they couldn’t read yet.

My soul hurts to see suffering instead because of hidden agendas. If we look behind the curtain and examine the real issues, we will discover that LGBTQ is a cover for the real agenda.

Well-meaning librarians have expressed their take on some books with gay characters and immediately defended the inclusion of these books. It is up to parents to choose books for their children.

One person quoted in this article brought up possible increase in suicides if this type book isn’t available. As a parent with a gay child, I feel that overreach is a “dog whistle/guilt trip” designed to make librarians feel guilty about inclusion. This is not the agenda in question.

The hidden agenda is actually promoting pedophilia/grooming as acceptable. I have seen some books showing parental grooming, with explicit illustrations. There are also books providing step by step instructions for sexual acts.

I have seen parents attempting to read and show these aloud at school board meetings and being denied. What? But it is okay in school and libraries?

Don’t take my word about these abhorrent books. Read and research for yourself. There are some YouTube videos showing students reading these books aloud to school boards. They are allowed to do so maybe due to the shock from the adults.

I don’t see this as a deliberate move in the Davie County library even though I don’t personally know the library board of trustees. I dothink that having elected county commissioners choose part of this board is appropriate thereby promising accountability to citizens. I hope the entire group can work together to protect our children.

Patricia Williams

Advance