Residents replace 30 children’s books with LGBTQ themes after they disappeared from Peekskill library

Rachel Mandel, the children's librarian at the Field Library, says she noticed some of the books were missing as she was putting together a new book display for Pride Month.

News 12 Staff

Jun 8, 2022, 2:27 AM

Updated 932 days ago

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It’s Pride Month and while one local library in Peekskill prepared to put its display of LGBTQIA+ books, but one librarian noticed some of the books on the subject were missing. 
Rachel Mandel, the children's librarian at the Field Library, says she noticed some of the books were missing as she was putting together a new book display for Pride Month.
Mandel then approached Jennifer Brown, the library's executive director. 
"What these books represent is the varieties of families that are in our community, in America, in the world," says Brown. 
They noticed that a total of 30 books were missing and decided to take it online and speak up.
"I posted the picture of our display on our Facebook page and then mentioned sadly," says Brown. 
Brown says they received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback. 
"The comments were they couldn't believe this was happening in our library, what can they do to help," says Brown. 
Brown made an Amazon wish list and in less than 24 hours, all of the missing books were re-purchased. 
"It's been really good to see that the community is behind us and wants us to be also supporting the LGBTQ community," says Mandel 
The library will notify police but are looking into additional security on the children’s side.