More than 100 people show support for Hales Corners library director targeted by out-of-state group over teen content

HALES CORNERS, Wis. (CBS 58) -- More than 100 people in Hales Corners turned out Thursday evening, October 23, to support the public library director.

Stephanie Lewin-Lane has recently come under attack by an out-of-state group that wants certain books banned from the library.

A few protesters were present, but there was an overwhelming number of people supporting the library director and the books in question.

This issue seemed to be settled a year ago. But now a small group is calling for the library director to be fired.

Supporters chanted, “Keep your hands off our books. Keep your hands off our books.”

They were loud and united in their support for keeping books on the Hales Corners library shelves.

Andrew Czachowski was there to show his support. He told us, “Hales Corners is a very inclusive, very loving, very close-knit community. We’re here to stand up for everyone’s freedoms, everyone’s right to feel included.”

More than 100 people, including children, held signs and chanted.

Many supporters argued if families feel a book is inappropriate, they should handle it with their own children.

Retired teacher Amy Lehmann said, “If you don’t want to read the book, don’t read the book. But don’t stop other people. That might be the right book for them.”

This issue seemed to be settled a year ago: after a complaint was made, an investigation determined the books could stay. Even after an appeal, the books stayed.

Thursday’s protest was organized by the right-wing group MassResistance out of Massachusetts, which is classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

The five books they’re targeting as inappropriate discuss sex education and sexuality. They include illustrations but no explicit photographs.

But those protesters were far outnumbered.

We asked protester Jim Donohoo if the turnout speaks to how the community feels about the issue. Donohoo told us, “I think most people don’t know what’s in these books. I bet you 95% of the parents have no idea these books are in the library.”

In Hales Corners, children under 16 must have a parent co-sign for a library card. And those parents can monitor their child’s account until they’re 18.

While much of the dueling protests focused on censorship and banning books, many supporters told us they want children to have access to challenging materials in the library.

Czachowski said, “They need to have resources if they have questions about stuff that maybe they can’t get a safe answer at home or in their peer group. And access to books in a public library, that’s where that happens.”

A library board meeting later in the evening was packed, mostly with supporters, but uneventful.

The meeting lasted a little under 30 minutes and there were no disruptions.

There were no materials or personnel decisions to vote on.