Kirk Cameron read from his new children’s book “As You Grow” in the Indianapolis public library. He started in a room that was way too small. The reading drew a crowd to the library not seen in 137 years. The library initially refused to have Cameron, saying it didn’t align with their values. Thousands showed up. Area libraries refused him but they’d host a Drag Queen story hour.
The crowd loved him
And embarrassed at least the Indianapolis public library. Cameron was happy to be there, the crowd was happy to have him. Both adults and kids expressed appreciation.
Brave Books published As You Grow. Cameron said it “teaches kids biblical wisdom, through the seasons of life and how to grow the fruits of the Spirit, which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.”
The crowd loved the message
A spokesman for Cameron said they planned on having multiple readings to accommodate the huge crowd. He continued, “The library announced the building hit capacity during the first book reading,”
One woman posted on Facebook about the crowd and that the library didn’t think there was enough interest to have Cameron. The people pointed out the obvious, that the library just didn’t want him there. There was plenty of interest.
BREAKING: Kirk Cameron's Christian book reading draws record numbers of parents, kids after Indianapolis Public Library refused to host him https://t.co/uIY6Aw9RwH
— Libby Emmons (@libbyemmons) December 29, 2022
The library was the problem
They tried to discourage people coming to see Cameron. He was charged for the tiny room. The library garage was closed so people couldn’t park. One reporter encouraged people to call the mayor’s office, including his phone number in a report.
One mom brought her family and posted about it. “Thank you JESUS for showing up with thousands to push back against this world’s agenda—if they can do “drag queen read alouds” at the Indianapolis Public Library then read alouds for Jesus Christ should be just as welcomed! Shoutout to Kirk Cameron for persevering for Christ.”
Cameron would draw a crowd
Cameron had put a letter together a letter to the library after he’d asked them and they turned him down. “One of the aspects that has always made this country great is the free expression of ideas essential to an informed citizenry. That is why I was surprised to learn from my publisher that you were not interested in having me join your patrons for a reading of my new book.”
He noted the library’s policy about having “strategic plan for author visits” that “includes a push for ‘authors who are diverse.'” It turns out that “diversity” is all about authors with color.
The crowd might have fit
Into the 3,000 seat auditorium that the library said the Brave Books team “never asked for the biggest room.” After this, the team sees him reading at other libraries that initially refused him.
The Scarsdale Public library in New York claims they never declined his request, he just hadn’t submitted the correct paperwork. They stated his book isn’t appropriate. They said the reading”is not a library-sponsored program, but rather a meeting room rental, that cannot be rejected based upon political or religious content under the First Amendment.”
The crowd wanted it
Brave Books’ founder Trent Talbot put it plainly to all, including the libraries. At this point they’re just trying to avoid a lawsuit.
“The libraries are lying in order to avoid a potential lawsuit. We messaged these libraries asking to ‘schedule a story hour.’ Any sane person would take that as scheduling space. If we wanted them to sponsor a story hour, we would have said, ‘Would you be willing to sponsor a story hour program?’ They broke the law by denying us space to do our story hour, so now they are covering their tracks by saying they were refusing to sponsor a story hour. One, that’s a lie. We have the emails and recordings. Two, they still are sponsoring DQSH but refuse to sponsor Kirk’s book. That’s a huge deal.”
