Collier County commissioners cut ties with American Library Association

NAPLES, Fla. – Collier County commissioners terminated the Collier County Public Library system’s annual membership with the American Library Association and respective divisions Tuesday.

Commissioners voted unanimously to cut the ties immediately because of media attention surrounding American Library Association President Emily Drabinski.

The president described herself on social media as a “Marxist lesbian.” The library association has promoted “Drag Queen Story Hour,” providing resources for libraries facing pushback from hosting the events.

The association’s “Rainbow Roundtable” released its 2023 recommended LGBTQ books for children and youth. One of the suggestions included “The Pronoun Book” for Ages 0-3 and another called “Bye Bye, Binary.”

Public speaker Jamie Merchant talked about the incoming new association president who is the current treasurer of the Freedom to Read Foundation.

“[The Freedom to Read Foundation] celebrates sexually explicit LGBT books targeting children by pushing the narrative that efforts to keep them off school library shelves are a form of censorship that should be resisted,” Merchant said.

Another public speaker, who is a member of the American Library Association, said on the other hand she has found the association to be very helpful and educational as she works at a Catholic school library.

Collier County’s membership with the association was already set to expire in January 2024.

The 2023 membership had cost the county $1,565 in order to receive access to professional resources, training, and publications. However, the membership was not limited to advocacy, legislation, grants and conferences.

Collier is not the first to terminate its membership. Citrus and Hernando counties also made the same move.

The Florida Department of State, which will not accept any Library Services & Technology Act grants.