Madisonville father of four steps up to defend libraries amid proposed bans, reshelving

Editor’s note: As debates over library books unfold throughout the state, we talked to parents on both sides of the issue about why they became involved and what they believe is at stake. 

Jonathan Varnado, a 41-year-old father of four from Madisonville, had not planned to speak at a recent St. Tammany Parish Library Board of Control meeting — it was only the second meeting he’d attended since learning of efforts by some parish residents to restrict some library material.

How ‘culture wars’ are playing out in Louisiana libraries through attempted book bans

But the lifelong library patron, who found respite in books even during a combat deployment in Iraq, says he felt compelled to speak up.

He pointed to his T-shirt, which pictured a book he had loved as a child, “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.”  That book is too intense for his younger children, Varnado told the board, “but as a parent, I get to make the decision….I don’t want that decision to be made for me.”

Varnado grew up in rural St. Helena Parish, where he visited the lone library frequently, a practice that’s continued wherever he’s lived. He takes his 8- and 9-year sons on regular library visits that are considered a treat. “I don’t want them to see books as broccoli,” he said.

He uses the Madisonville branch as a work space on Fridays when classes aren’t held at Southeastern Louisiana University, where he teaches criminal justice.

Varnado, who stressed that he speaks for himself and not the university, knows that libraries across the country are facing pressure. But the issue hit home when stumbled across a Facebook post in which a writer accused St. Tammany libraries of sharing pornography.

“I found it just beyond the pale as far as being outlandish and ridiculous,” he said. He posted a comment saying that was not his experience and offering to create a group to oppose that narrative.

When he found out a group already existed — the St. Tammany Library Alliance — he joined and attended his first library board meeting a few days later, holding a sign in support of librarians.

Varnado said that he realizes some people believe the library is a threat to children, but he thinks there are more people like him who have had nothing but good experiences at libraries. He’s encouraged to see the community pushing back.

“As long as there’s a danger of barriers being erected between books and the people who want to read them, I will continue to be involved,” he said.

Opinions on book bans: As ‘culture wars’ hit Louisiana libraries, parents share their beliefs