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Investigation uncovers communication about ban of Heritage Month displays at Orem library


Investigation uncovers communication about ban of Heritage Month displays at Orem library (Photo: KUTV)
Investigation uncovers communication about ban of Heritage Month displays at Orem library (Photo: KUTV)
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The Orem City Library has been embroiled for months in controversy which include allegations of censorship, bad blood, and a flurry of resignations.

According to 2 News Investigates reporter Chris Jones, the controversy centers on claims that the city's new city council is behind it all.

The library displays cultural exhibits and heritage months that were celebrated for two years until they disappeared.

Amy Carr, who is a volunteer at the library, said her daughter Ava, who is black, felt acknowledged and seen when they saw the banner celebrating Black History Month last February. However Carr said these cultural displays soon disappeared.

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Rita Christensen coordinated heritage month displays in the library's children's section. She said that Char Crozier, the library director, had prohibited them the previous year.

Christensen also said Crozier told her that they didn't want attention on the library, and they didn't want the city council to focus on them.

Mayor David Young has long argued that the council did not order the ban or influence the library director.

Jones confirmed that his search of public records did not find any written directives from the mayor or city council ordering a ban on the displayed, but they did find indirect, or soft pressure on the library director from at least one city council member.

In a September 2021 city council meeting, council member Terry Peterson grilled library staff, including Crozier, over an LGBTQ book he found on a library display. Peterson asked whether it was appropriate for a 10-year-old in the Orem library.

According to a conversation Christensen recorded with Crozier, Crozier suggested that she felt pressure from the council, and the displays had to go because, "this kind of advocacy does not work with this kind of council."

Crozier retired in the wake of the library controversy. The city shook things up by moving the library advisory committee.

2News Investigates reached out to Crozier, the mayor, councilman Peterson. Peterson said he would provide a statement but never did.

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