LANCASTER, Pa. — Supporters of the Lancaster Public Library have raised thousands of dollars, as local municipalities threaten to withhold funding to protest Drag Queen Story Hour.
Last month, the library's drag queen event was abruptly canceled after a bomb scare.
Last week, East Hempfield Township announced that it would not be donating to the Lancaster Public Library until library officials create a written policy that would prevent another drag queen story hour from being scheduled. The township was initially scheduled to provide $26,700 to the library.
Josh Schwartz, the president of the Lancaster Public Library Board, said that the lack of funding would negatively impact the library's Mountville branch.
“Without passionate donors from your constituents and civic funding, we could not provide the services we believe are vital to a thriving community," said Schwartz at an East Hempfield board meeting last week.
Meanwhile, officials with Mountville Borough told FOX43 that it voted to defer its funding to the Lancaster Public Library until speaking with its board members.
In response, two GoFundMe’s were started to support the Lancaster Public Library. To date, the campaigns have raised more than $31,000, which is enough to cover the loss of East Hempfield's donation.
“It’s a great service, and hopefully it never gets unfunded," said Jeannie Peoples, who goes to infant story hours at the library. “There are so many programs for so many children, and where would they go or do [without the library]?"
In a statement on Facebook, East Hempfield Township says it plans to continue talks with the Lancaster Public Library about its funding.
Library supporters hope that a solution can be reached so that East Hempfield can continue donating to the Lancaster Public Library.