When most people go to a library, they expect a calm, peaceful, quiet environment. At the Durham County Main Library on April 13, however, it was anything but calm.
At around 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Durham police officers responded to an alleged bomb threat on the 300 block of N. Roxboro Street. A spokesperson for law enforcement said in a press release that morning: “An anonymous caller informed the library of the threat. The building has been evacuated as a precaution, and access is limited.”
The library was slated to have Rainbow Story Time, hosted by Rainbow Collective for Chance, at 11 a.m. The Rainbow Collective had been hosting these storytimes for over two years, and in a statement, the organization explained it was the first time the event received a “serious threat.”
“We will continue to advocate for LGBTQIA+ and gender-affirming schools and build community spaces where our children can be who they are and celebrate that love makes a family,” the statement continued. “We – together with RCC families and partner organizations – will not let hate win and will continue advocating for a safe and affirming community that all our children deserve.”
According to reporting from the News & Observer, Durham Library Director Tammy Baggett said the threat was sent to a Charlotte TV station, and the library was only made aware of the threat once law enforcement notified staff. The threat specifically mentioned Maya Christina Gonzalez, author of the book the storytime was featuring. Among her published titles aimed at LGBTQ+ youth are “They She He Me: Free to Be,” “The Gender Wheel” A Story about Bodies and Gender” and her latest, “The Gender and Infinity Book for Kids.”
“I’d like to thank our Durham local law enforcement partners and other emergency responders including Library Security for their work to ensure the safety of our staff and customers, who responded with grace during this emergency event,” Baggett said in a statement. “Also, a special thank you to Missy Lane’s Assembly Room in downtown Durham for opening their doors to staff for accommodations as needed. I would also like to extend my thanks to other county agencies and to our staff for their work to keep the community safe.”
Durham Police say the threat is still under investigation, and no further information is available at the time of writing.