UPDATE: Robideaux, library issue statements on Drag Queen Story Time

Amanda McElfresh | The Daily Advertiser

Show Caption Hide Caption Residents Show Support for Library Story Time Residents Show Support for Library Story Time

UPDATE 11:30 A.M. TUESDAY:

A statement about the planned event was posted on the Lafayette Public Library's official website Tuesday morning. It noted that the library hosts an average of 60 story times a month throughout the parish.

"Special guests at the story time are not a new concept to the program," the statement said. "Our story times are designed by our children’s librarians who select the books that will be read to families and work with the guest storyteller to practice the flow of the program."

The story times are generally designed for children ages 3 to 6.

"All story programs for this age group are designed for families to attend together and involve books, songs and craft activities that encourage interaction among the children," the statement continued. "The picture books that are read are content- and age-appropriate. The Drag Queen Story Time will share stories of individuality, openness and acceptance with families seeking an opportunity to show their children that every person is unique and should be treated with equal respect."

UPDATE 10:30 A.M. TUESDAY:

Lafayette Mayor-President Joel Robideaux has issued a statement about the Lafayette Public Library's scheduled Drag Queen Story Time.

"Currently, events of the Lafayette Public Library are neither authorized nor approved by Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG), including the Drag Queen Story Time event scheduled for October 6, 2018 at the Library Main Branch," Robideaux said.

"In response to public requests, LCG is working to determine how this event was approved as a programmed event of the Library, who has authority to cancel or move it, and the process for doing so.

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The library has an Executive Director that is appointed by and answers to the Library’s Board of Control. As Mayor-President, I have one appointment to the Library’s Board of Control and the Lafayette City-Parish Council has the remaining seven appointments.

I will be discussing cancellation of the event or privately-owned location alternatives with my appointment and encourage the Council to do the same. I will also be asking the Library’s Board of Control to conduct a thorough review of its programming and approval process for taxpayer funded events.

Our parish libraries are public spaces, with venues that any group or individual can reserve, on a non-discriminatory basis, as required by law. We have to be certain, however, that our internally approved programming is both appropriate and serves the needs of Lafayette Parish.

That is the only way our library system will continue to enjoy the support from our community that it has historically received."

ORIGINAL STORY:

The reaction has been mixed after the Lafayette Public Library announced plans for its first Drag Queen Story Time.

Members of the Delta Lambda Phi social fraternity will lead the event, scheduled for 2 p.m. Oct. 6 at the library’s main branch.

Library Director Teresa Elberson said the fraternity approached the library about the program. After a lengthy discussion, library officials decided to move forward. The event is expected to include fraternity members dressed in drag who will read to children and participate in activities with them and their families.

“We decided it would be a good way to talk about differences and acceptance,” said Elberson. “The children’s department said they would work with these young men and set the guidelines for what books would be read and what activities would be done.”

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Like all library Story Times, the event is designed for children ages 3 to 6.

“For all of our Story Times, we pick out age-appropriate books and songs, and usually an interactive activity,” Elberson said. “It will follow that format. The only change is that we aren’t the storytellers in this particular program.”

Elberson said the event will not focus on sex or gender.

Although the program is new to Lafayette, drag queen story times have become increasingly popular at public libraries across the country. There is even one nationwide organization that helps arrange and provide storytellers for such events.

Since the Lafayette program was announced, Elberson said she has heard many positive and negative comments. Some have said the program is inconsistent with their values or beliefs, or inappropriate for children.

Others have said they think such a program could lead to more acceptance and tolerance.

“We knew it would be controversial, but we talked about it a lot,” Elberson said. “We are not planning on surprising anybody. That’s why we labeled it, so people would know. They have a choice. It’s one program out of 80 we are doing that month.”

Representatives for Delta Lambda Phi could not be reached Monday for comment. Its website says it has a provisional chapter at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

According to its website, the fraternity “is a traditional Greek social organization founded by and for a decidedly nontraditional group: gay, bisexual and progressive men.”

Its guiding purposes include developing dignified and purposeful activities for all men; leading efforts to determine the rights and privileges of individuals in society and presenting a strong and positive image that respects diversity.