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Library reports small wave of books hidden on shelves amid 'Hide the Pride' online campaign
Summary
Library staff found about a dozen books intentionally hidden on shelves at Leonardtown after a national 'Hide the Pride' social-media campaign; the director said patrons who remove materials without returning them may face suspension of library privileges.
Library Director Michael Blackwell told the board the St. Mary’s County Library has found a small number of books deliberately hidden on shelves at the Leonardtown branch, an action he tied to a national campaign organized by a group that encouraged supporters to hide or withhold certain LGBT-themed titles.
Why it matters: Hiding or removing library materials interferes with public access and imposes additional staff time to locate and, if needed, replace items.
Blackwell said the library discovered about 10–12 titles that had been concealed behind other books at Leonardtown; staff recovered the items and so far have not observed defacement or destruction. He said initial instances appeared to be tied to an online call to action, and staff identified a suspect; the library’s security monitoring systems and circulation records make it possible to follow up on missing items. Blackwell said the library will consider suspending borrowing privileges for patrons caught intentionally interfering with circulation as an operational remedy.
Trustees asked whether the library had seen formal challenges to materials; Blackwell said the county has not seen an uptick in formal challenges and that the library has handled the incidents without escalating them to county or state levels. He urged patience and vigilance, noting that the county has not experienced the large-scale conflicts reported elsewhere.
Ending: Blackwell said staff will continue monitoring and enforce borrowing-policy consequences if staff identify patrons responsible for intentional hiding or withholding of materials.
