CILIP would like to express our solidarity for the staff, children, parents and performers at the Drag Queen Story Hour at Reading Central Library yesterday and condemn the actions of the group of extremists who interrupted the event.

Physical and verbal abuse is never appropriate and is particularly distasteful at an event for children and young people. Library staff have the right to feel safe in their place of work and all users of these public spaces have the right to access them without fear of abuse.

Libraries exist to support every member of their community and to encourage people to learn about the world around them in a respectful way. Drag Queen story hour has a demonstrably positive effect on children’s reading and engagement and is a valuable way of teaching literacy skills.