The Monroeville library Pride display removal occurred last week after municipal manager Alex Graziani instructed the library director to take down a Pride Month display in the children’s section, library board president Kelly Meredith told reporters. The directive, issued June 26, led staff to remove a “Love is Love” themed display that had been on view since June 1.
What happened — Monroeville library Pride display removal
According to local reporting by WTAE and Fox News Digital, the display was scheduled as a June Pride Month feature and was removed last week after municipal manager Alex Graziani asked that the space be used for an America 250 patriotic display in advance of Independence Day events. Meredith, president of the Monroeville Public Library Board of Directors, told reporters the board and library staff had selected the titles under the library’s collection and display policies.
Meredith said she was informed the municipal manager had instructed the library director to remove the children’s-area display. WTAE’s reporting and Fox News Digital coverage indicate staff complied with the directive and took down the display following that guidance on June 26.
Official accounts and quotes
Kelly Meredith told Fox News Digital the display met the library’s board-approved collection development policy and that displays are normally chosen by staff under that policy. Meredith said the decision to remove the display early followed pressure from some council members and was intended to ensure a safe working environment for library employees.
Municipal manager Alex Graziani described the move to reporters as a scheduling decision tied to town programming. He said the space could be scheduled for a patriotic America 250 display ahead of July 4 community events, framing the request as a matter of event coordination rather than content judgment.
Monroeville Councilmember Bill Krut reshared a photo of the display publicly and wrote on social media, “Should these books be available for children at the Monroeville Library? I think not… I don’t care what adults do. This is child, sexual grooming.” That characterization is attributed to Krut as reported by Fox News Digital.
Mayor Dennis Biondo Jr. issued a statement affirming support for safety, dignity and respect for all residents, including LGBTQIA+ residents, and said libraries must remain “safe, welcoming spaces free from intimidation or censorship,” according to local accounts.
Outside the formal statements, community members offered differing perspectives. Pastor and parent Lindsay White told the library board the display was an “incredible resource” that helps children learn about family diversity and supports LGBTQ residents, as reported by local outlets.
Books in the display
Photos circulated online and were reported by Fox News Digital showing several children’s titles featured in the Pride display. Reported titles included:
- The GayBCs
- A Kids Book About Gay Parents
- Pride Puppy!
- Rainbow: A First Book of Pride
- My Two Moms
- Sparkle Boy
Library officials told reporters the titles were selected under the library’s display and collection guidelines as part of a month-long Pride display intended to reflect diverse families and experiences for young patrons.
Policy, process and oversight
The Monroeville Public Library Board oversees the library’s collection development policy, which guides acquisitions and displays. Meredith emphasized to reporters that the Pride display complied with that policy and that professional staff typically select materials and curate displays.
The municipal manager’s directive has prompted questions about the proper boundary between municipal authority and library governance. Meredith said the board is wary of creating a precedent where municipal officials or council members routinely dictate displays; she told Fox News Digital staff removed the items early to avoid escalating tensions and to protect employees on the ground.
Graziani framed his request in the context of town event scheduling, saying a patriotic display would tie into America 250 activities. Reporting shows differing accounts over how the decision was reached and whether the choice reflected scheduling concerns, political pressure, or both.
Why it matters
The episode touches on broader debates about access to LGBTQIA+ resources in public institutions, community standards for children’s materials, and concerns over censorship. Libraries commonly face competing demands from patrons and elected officials about which materials are appropriate for children and how displays should be curated.
Supporters of the display argue LGBTQIA+ children’s books provide age-appropriate tools for understanding family diversity, while critics contend certain topics should not be highlighted in children’s spaces. The dispute has amplified local discussion about trust in librarians’ professional judgment and the role elected officials should play in library operations.
What comes next
The library board has not announced any formal policy changes. Meredith said the board does not want municipal officials to routinely dictate display content, and the incident may lead to further public discussion at upcoming board and council meetings. Members of the public told reporters they expect continued comment and possible motions at future sessions.
For now, the display remains removed and the town’s Independence Day planning will proceed as scheduled. Officials and residents have signaled they will use upcoming meetings to address governance questions raised by the removal.
Source attribution: Reporting in this article is based on coverage by WTAE and Fox News Digital, including statements to Fox News Digital by Kelly Meredith and reporting of comments by Alex Graziani, Dennis Biondo Jr. and Bill Krut. Original Fox News coverage: https://www.foxnews.com/media/public-library-removes-childrens-pride-display-after-local-official-sounds-alarm-sexual-grooming
