Residents of a town in Washington are at odds over the potential closure of their local library due to a controversial book about transgender people. The town of Dayton in Columbia County is set to vote in November on whether to shut down the library because of the book What’s the T? by British author Juno Dawson.
The book, which explores trans and non-binary identities and is aimed at teenagers, has faced opposition from some residents who argue that it contains sexually explicit content and is not appropriate for young readers. The group opposing the book, led by Dayton resident Jessica Ruffcorn, requested that it be moved from the children and young adult section of the library, along with several other titles related to race and social issues.
Former library director Todd Vandenbark refused to relocate the books, stating that individuals have the right to decide what they read and that the library serves the entire community. Vandenbark resigned in June and was replaced by Ellen Brigham, who created a new parenting section in the library and moved sex education books there, as well as relocating young adult nonfiction books to the adult section.
Despite these measures, Ruffcorn and her supporters remain unsatisfied and have collected enough signatures to push for a vote on the library’s closure. The issue will be put to a ballot in November, and the outcome will determine whether the library stays open.
Supporters of the library, including former board member Tanya Patton and local resident Deb Fortner, are leading a campaign to save the institution. They argue that closing the library over a dispute about book selection sets a concerning precedent and undermines access to information, which is a fundamental principle of democracy.
The controversy in Dayton reflects a broader trend of censorship and book banning targeting LGBTQ+ literature across the United States. In 2022, the American Library Association documented 1,269 demands to censor library books, with the graphic novel Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe being the most frequently complained-about title. However, some states are pushing back against such censorship, with a Texas judge recently ordering books with LGBTQ+ and racial content to be reinstated on library shelves.
Juno Dawson, the author of What’s the T? and other books that have faced bans, has spoken out against book censorship and applauded librarians and educators for defending freedom of speech and representation for LGBTQ+ youth.
The fate of the Columbia County Library now rests in the hands of the community, as the November vote approaches. The outcome will not only determine the future of this library but also raise questions about the boundaries of free speech, access to information, and the values held by the town of Dayton.
