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The Columbia County Rural Library District is under threat of dissolution as a result of a petition filed by a community member calling for the closure of the library. The dispute revolves around the presence of LGBTQ+ books aimed at teens in the library’s collection.

The library, located in Dayton, serves approximately 4,000 people and houses a collection of 34,500 books, as well as other media materials. It is the only source of WiFi and internet access for many residents in the county, and provides a safe space for young people to freely choose and check out books.

The petition to dissolve the library district was submitted in July and collected 163 signatures, surpassing the required minimum of 107. The issue highlights the growing politicization of libraries and the increasing number of book challenges across the country.

According to the American Library Association, there were 1,269 book censorship demands in 2022, almost double the number reported in 2021. Public school libraries have also faced numerous book bans, with 1,477 instances recorded from July to December 2022 alone. Washington has not been exempt from these challenges, with cases reported in school districts and The Seattle Public Library.

Book banners have gone beyond library challenges and have started lobbying elected officials and state legislatures to create lists of books to be removed from library shelves. This organized effort has resulted in the targeting and intimidation of librarians and library school alumni.

In response to the rise in book-banning attempts, the Seattle Public Library joined the Books Unbanned initiative, allowing individuals aged 13-26 to access ebooks and audiobooks with a library card. Since its launch, the program has attracted over 3,600 participants from across the US.

The Columbia County Rural Library District controversy began when false images were shared on social media, depicting LGBTQ+ books displayed in the children’s section of the library. One of the books involved, Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe, contains sexually explicit images but is shelved in the adult section.

The potential closure of the Columbia County Rural Library District underscores the importance of protecting access to diverse literature and the need for broader efforts to expand access to books and resources.

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