Eagle County sheriff cancels appearance to read children’s book written by conspiracy theorist

Eagle County Sheriff James van Beek said he will not be reading a children’s book authored by Jack Posobiec, a far-right activist, personality and conspiracy theorist, at a children’s story hour on Saturday at the Eagle Library, according to a press release from his office.

“I was honored to have been asked to do another children’s story time, which is a passion for me, and I try to schedule something at least every few months,” van Beek wrote in the release. “So naturally I agreed to do it. At the time, while I was given the book title, I didn’t realize the controversy surrounding it. Storytime for young children should not be controversial, even if the topic is worthy.”

Local freelance journalist David O. Williams, writing for the Colorado Times Recorder, was the first to report on the event, titled the Brave Books Story Hour, hosted by the Eagle County Republicans.

The book van Beek was scheduled to read was “The Island of Free Ice Cream,” authored by Posobiec, who, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, “has emerged as arguably the most active spreader of disinformation among all internet performers in the far-right social media ecosystem.”

Van Beek said he plans to reschedule a book reading at a later date “to take place, away from any controversy, and in line with my current community-focused, children’s story-time program.” 

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“Children’s story time should not be subjects of concern, but rather a sharing of joy, adventure, inspiration, education, and a vision of who we can become. With the beginning of a new school year, our next book and event will center on the importance of kindness, connection to community, and how we can all live a life of virtue, honor, and meaning,” he wrote. “Young people are influenced by messages, whether direct or subliminal and we want their book time to be a time of dreaming and excitement for a wonderful future.  If reading becomes a time of joy, then children will be more likely to select a book over more screen time.”

Tegan Davis, the director of the Eagle Valley Library District, said Saturday’s event falls in line with district policy and Colorado law for providing equitable access.

“The library follows District policy when reserving meeting room space for anyone in the community,” Davis wrote in an email. “The Eagle County Republicans event was no exception. Colorado law requires equitable access to public library meeting rooms.”

The Colorado statute on public libraries states library officials “shall make facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use; and shall prohibit discrimination based on age, background, political or religious views, origin, disability, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, national origin, or ancestry in the selection, retention, display, use or reconsideration of library resources and public meeting spaces.”

“In keeping with its mission, the Eagle Valley Library District offers reserved use of its meeting rooms for local community nonprofit groups holding meetings or programs,” Davis wrote. “Use of the District’s meeting rooms does not constitute endorsement by the District, its staff, or its trustees of the viewpoints presented. Groups using the meeting rooms for programs not sponsored by the District may not publicize their events in any manner which suggests library sponsorship or affiliation.”