A recent Facebook post by Jennifer Meeks, wife of Republican state lawmaker Rep. Stephen Meeks, has sparked a controversy regarding the censorship of Little Free Libraries, as well as school and public libraries in Arkansas. Meeks expressed her observations and experiences with the books found in these little libraries, mentioning finding both good and terrible books, toiletries, and even needles. She further explained that she has been actively swapping books, particularly Bibles, and gospel tracts, in these libraries to incorporate Christian values and be a positive influence in the community.
In her post, Meeks also criticized the presence of Pride-related content in one of the little libraries, claiming that it does not align with Christian values. Responding to this criticism, the Faulkner County Coalition for Social Justice clarified that they have received donations exceeding $1,000 to provide essential items like food, toiletries, reproductive care items, and naloxone, which saves lives. They explained that the “needles” mentioned by Meeks are most likely the overdose reversal kits.
Rep. Stephen Meeks defended his wife’s post, stating that it was misconstrued and emphasizing that while she adds Christian materials to the free libraries, she would never remove Pride content. He claimed that her post gained attention because a Facebook friend betrayed her trust. Greig Metzger, the Executive Director of Little Free Library, acknowledged that minority groups, including LGBTQ+ individuals, often face unjust removal of books that do not align with certain beliefs. Metzger applauded the stewards of Little Free Libraries who offer books that broaden perspectives, nurture empathy, and enlighten readers. (Read more Arkansas stories.)
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