Library bosses will need to approve Pride displays

Promotional book displays in libraries will need to be approved by senior managers, the leader of Essex County Council has said.

Peter Harris, of Reform UK, had said he was concerned about "the age appropriateness" and trans ideology featuring in displays promoting Pride Month in libraries.

At a full council meeting on Tuesday, the council also said a review on the decision not to promote Pride on library social media channels would take place.

About 40 people protested outside County Hall in Chelmsford beforehand, against what campaigners have described as a "diversity ban".

The Liberal Democrats also handed in three petitions – which have garnered more than 30,000 signatures – concerning Reform's approach to libraries.

Harris said many people questioned some of the books in library Pride displays, and at the meeting he gave examples of literature he thought was concerning.

He told the council chamber "that all displays from now on must be approved" by senior managers.

Reform took control of the council on 8 May, ending 25 years of Conservative power at the local authority.

At the beginning of June, Chris Hossack, the cabinet member for libraries, told the BBC the authority's 74 libraries would not be holding promotions for events and that libraries should be a "neutral" space.

Library staff had received a verbal briefing ahead of Pride Month.

A council spokesperson later clarified that displays in libraries could continue, but that "social media promotion of some themed days, weeks and months" had been paused.

Hossack told councillors on Tuesday that the authority would "review this decision and the implication of the decision".

He also said the pause on promoting events on social media related only to Pride Month, and occasions such as Remembrance Day or Holocaust Memorial Day were unaffected.

Liberal Democrat group leader David King, who handed over the petitions, said the new administration's approach was one of "exclusion, the sense that inclusion is no longer on the agenda, that this new administration wants things to be more family values than LGBTQ".

Labour and Conservative councillors also joined the protest organised by Save Our Libraries Essex (Sole).

Tory shadow cabinet member for libraries Sue Lissimore said: "Residents are very concerned about discrimination.

"They've targeted the LGBT community, but we're concerned about what it means for the future for other groups as well."

Andy Abbott, from Sole, said outside County Hall: "It is important that libraries appeal to all sections of our community.

"There should be promotions and themes in libraries, and other social media promotions, which should include everything from the World Cup to Remembrance to Pride."

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