One person making a difference in NH at the local library. I would like to send an update on the library situation in Raymond, NH. My last article shared the success story of the vote for a conservative trustee in March. We felt victorious as we voted for Virginia Fernold, a vote for traditional values in Raymond.
We want to thank Cindy Bennett for this Op-Ed. Please submit it to Editor@GraniteGrok.com.
We also passed a warrant article that will allow us leverage to rid the children’s section of the library of any adult content and themes.
Warrant Article 43 states:
“The Citizens of Raymond hereby declare, from this point forward, that the downstairs children’s library room in the Dudley Tucker Library will be free of any books with content containing nudity, gender identity, sex or sexual references in writing or illustrations”.
It is becoming evident that passing this article is going to result in lots of discussions as we sift through what this actually means, to me, it’s common sense, but to some librarians taking it to the extreme will make it seem that this was not a well-written warrant article. We have heard the discussion between trustees on our local cable station RCTV, that this statement means to them that we need to take out references to any gender whatsoever. They have said that it could be interpreted that any book with the word he or she or any gender mentioned needs to be taken from the library. I am pretty sure it is common sense that that is not the case.
All in all, we are very happy that these votes in March reflect the people’s voice in town. Unfortunately, our elected official, Virginia, had to resign already due to her health issues. Our prayers are with her.
We are still waiting for instructions as to how this position will now be filled. I, personally, have sent in a letter to volunteer. The original vote consisted of two candidates, a current trustee who was very comfortable with the trends at the library, and Virginia. By choosing Virginia it seems obvious that the citizens voted for change. As we know the library is non-partisan, however, it is also very obvious in our dialogues that conservatism is getting pushed aside for the modern agendas of the American Library Association.
In the midst of all of this, a new librarian was hired to hold the post at the front desk, Arlene Quaratiello. Arlene also ran for state representative in the town of Atkinson and won her seat in March. It had already been agreed upon when she was hired that the library would honor her state rep position and that they would be flexible as she carried out her duties. I was especially excited to have Arlene at the library. Every time I went in she was talkative, helpful, smiling, ready, and willing to help patrons. She is a former teacher so she was so happy to start crafting some educational classes for adults. She had one class in March that I could not attend but I heard that the chairs were full of eager adults.
Unfortunately, Arlene was unexpectedly fired for sharing her conservative political views and support of a fellow citizen who was running as a trustee in Atkinson. Arlene was shocked at this action and immediately sought the rules and her rights in this situation. It turned out that she was actually fired for exercising her First Amendment rights. She was fired for a letter with conservative political views that she wrote while on her own time, as a citizen. So, she started taking steps to make this right. She asked for a public hearing which is in the policy for this type of situation. Then, she started legal discussions. A friend started a GiveSendGo account to help to cover the legal fees that she might incur.
You know and I know that this is not just about Arlene. This is about our First Amendment rights. If this can happen to one trustee at a small library in NH, this can happen to any one of us. This is an opportunity to say NO; we stand with Arlene and we want to participate in making sure that this is made right. We will stand for our Constitutional Rights.
Within a day of putting out the GiveSendGo fundraiser, the narrative changed because Arlene was offered her job back. She has accepted the offer and she has been reinstated. Thanks to Arlene for taking the steps that it took to stand for rights in our town. The fundraiser is still available with updated information. I am so thankful that I have met Arlene. She has stood with integrity and truth throughout the entire situation. She has made decisions with purpose and she has demonstrated what a difference one person can make for the cause of freedom. If you would like more info from Arlene you can find her during business hours at the Dudley Tucker Library, Raymond, NH, or at the state house as a state representative for Atkinson, NH. And if you want to support her efforts for freedom of speech for librarians, click to go to the GiveSendGo account.
I truly hope that by sharing this story, that this will inspire more patrons of libraries, citizens of NH, all of us, to get involved wherever we can.
Too many people are hiding out at home waiting for things to get better. Or, perhaps, people are just making the best of their lives during a most difficult time in history. While many turn a blind eye to damaging agendas, they are continuing to grow in strength. The agendas that will destroy our heritage are upon us.
Please consider picking up a cause and fighting for it. Knowing our rights is not enough, we need to defend them and fight to keep them, and we need to support our neighbors’ freedoms as well. Remember what Edmund Burke famously stated:
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing,”
