HANOVER, Pa. — The Guthrie Memorial Library has a new book available for checkout after it was recently pulled from classroom shelves.
The book is called 'Flamer' and is an autobiographic, coming-of-age novel written by Mike Curato. The novel centers around the author's experiences as a closeted, homosexual teenager.
Recently, the book was banned by the South Western School District after it was deemed to be too inappropriate.
Lizzy Baldwin, the head librarian at Guthrie Memorial Library, is now keeping the book available for her patrons as a result of the decision.
“To throw that away and possibly deny a child from reading that, because of one part you find to be inappropriate, is wildly irresponsible," said Baldwin.
The decision has caused mixed reactions from people across Hanover. Some support the decision to pull the novel from the school district, while others say it should remain available for students.
“Please don’t push this on our children," said Katie Gabor, who supported the South Western School District's decision. "This is something that each parent has the right to teach their children their own way.”
“I don’t see the issue," said Andrew Austin, who is against the decision to pull the book. "I’m a Catholic, heterosexual male. But at the end of the day, if that’s something someone wants to read about or explore in their own life, that’s their decision to make.”
Baldwin argued having the book available follows the library’s mission of having free and equitable access to information.
“To have an educated public that can stand up and say, ‘This is what I believe. No, this is what I believe,’ and have a discourse about it can hopefully come to an outcome that is for the benefit of everybody," said Baldwin.
FOX43 reached out to the South Western School Board by email for comment on the story. They have yet to respond.