Cape Girardeau Public Library ends board meeting early after disturbance

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Cape Girardeau Public Library member Laura Bain-Selbo was denied the chance to speak at Thursday morning’s library board meeting. 

The meeting adjourned early when a man spoke out of turn and caused a disturbance during the discussion of new rules for Missouri libraries that determine which materials are inappropriate for children. 

“He was a loud person. He was making side comments when other people were speaking. He wanted his voice heard and I understand that,” she said.

Bain-Selbo said some people have made claims that there are certain books in the library that contain pornography and groom children to become victims of pedophilia. 

Bain-Selbo is a licensed therapist, and she said this is not how grooming works. 

“Children tend to ask questions about things that are important to them,” she said. “They don’t tend to gravitate toward things that are not. Libraries and books are often the place people can go to find a safe space, especially kids who have been made to feel like they aren’t welcome or they’re somehow different.” 

Cape Girardeau Library Alliance co-organizer Tom Blattel was also at the board meeting, and he says one of the primary goals of the library alliance is to: “Make sure that everyone feels welcome in the library because it is a public space open to people of all walks of life.”