An unidentified man in Ohio who checked out 100 books, including those with LGBTQ+ content, from a local library and burned them in a video posted to social media might not face criminal punishment.
The man entered the Beachwood Public Library on April 2 and applied for a library card, according to a report on the incident from the Beachwood Police Department seen by local NBC affiliate WKYC. Police say he then checked out 50 books regarding “Jewish history, African American history, and LGBTQ education.”
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The man then went home, and the following day was posted to social media a picture showing an open car trunk with the caption “cleansing the library.” Some of the books reportedly had stickers showing they belonged to the library. The post was reported to the library by the Princeton University Bridging Divides Initiative (PUBDI), which monitors online hate activity, Cleveland.com reports.
The man returned to the library to check out another 50 books on April 10, according to WKYC. He reportedly explained that he hoped to use the books to better help him understand his son he said recently came out as gay. The librarian was concerned, but the man had issued no threats and committed no crime. The library restricts readers to a maximum of 50 books checked out per visit.
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Police say he then went home and set all 100 books ablaze on a video posted to social media. The video was seen by PUBDI, who again contacted the library to report the book burning. At this point, the librarian contacted the police.
The unnamed man’s alleged actions appear to violate Ohio State Code Section 2909.05 regarding vandalism. The code makes it illegal to “knowingly cause serious physical harm to property that is owned, leased, or controlled by a governmental entity.” Such actions are considered a fifth-degree felony “punishable by a fine of up to two thousand five hundred dollars.”
Local community and faith-based leaders decried the news. The Interfaith Group Against Hate held a press conference on Monday, where they promised to donate 1,000 books, 10 books for every book burned.
"Our goal is to collect a thousand new books that lift up Black, Jewish, and LGBTQ+ voices and experiences, and to share those books in libraries and community organizations and congregations all over our county," Rev. Ryan Wallace of Fairmount Presbyterian Church, said at the press conference, according to WKYC. "The Interfaith Group Against Hate wants to take this act of hate and turn it into a powerful symbol of unity, solidarity, and love."
Despite the initial statement in the police report indicating that the man would not be charged, Beachwood Communications Manager Ben Lombardi stated that the case was ongoing.
"The police investigation is ongoing. Once complete, the City Prosecutor will review the investigation and determine whether there is probable cause to believe a crime was committed. If there is probable cause and depending on whether the crimes are misdemeanors or felonies, the charges will be filed in the appropriate court and those charges will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Lombardi told WKYC.
The books had an estimated value of $1,700. The library intends to wait until the books are officially due back before sending a late notice to the man.
