Residents urge Hernando County to cancel BookPage library subscription; staff point to challenge process

Three residents asked the board to cancel Hernando County Libraries' subscription to BookPage magazine, arguing the publication promotes "far left" views and is an unnecessary expense. Carol Yekim Oalvelo told commissioners the magazine "promotes ideologies that are known as far left or woke" and urged cancellation.

John Labriola of the Christian Family Coalition said Citrus County had canceled its subscription and encouraged Hernando to follow suit. Library staffer Chris Lindsbeck told the board the subscription has existed for about 15 years and is a $1,305 state‑aid purchase divided among branches. He described the books and magazines as free pickup items and noted many of the listed titles are not in the county's collection.

County attorney staff explained the library system has a formal collection management and materials challenge procedure. John Jopin, the county attorney, said the board should avoid being the direct challenger because due‑process rules created to protect the county could expose the county to publisher lawsuits if the established process is not followed. He pointed residents to the one‑page challenge form available through the library to trigger review.

Board direction: Commissioners asked staff to provide the materials challenge form to the residents who requested it and to proceed through the library's challenge procedure rather than taking unilateral action at the dais.