Wilkinsburg library apologizes after Facebook post draws criticism

Reading is fundamental, and officials at the Wilkinsburg Public Library want folks to know it. But maybe they should cut back on the snark.

In a Facebook post Wednesday afternoon, the library threw shade at some who aren’t active users of the library system. “Some of y’all have never had a library card and it shows,” the sign in front of the building read.

But after some pushback and criticism, the library removed the Facebook post and will be removing the sign outside the building.

On Thursday morning the library posted a new message to Facebook, “After some feedback from our community, we have decided to remove our recent sign and related posts on social media.

“Over the past year or so, we have taken to putting up satirical or funny signs, often related to current pop culture or other fun quotes. The most recent sign was created with the same intent,” the post continued.

“However, after hearing your feedback, we now realize the quote may not have had the intended humor and has alienated some of our users. We cannot stress how sorry we are for this. Our goal is and always has been to welcome everyone into our spaces, and our intent was never to shame or exclude anyone.”

The library went on to say, “[we] exists because and for our users, and we are sincerely sorry for the mistake we made.”

The library said that the sign will be removed Thursday.

The first post was shared over 350 times in six hours.

Mayor Marita Garrett was among those who found the post funny. She’d liked the post via the “haha” button.

The following morning she clarified, on Facebook, that she didn’t think the post was meant to be “representative of Wilkinsburg residents.”

She added that the branch also serves other communities.

“After reviewing some of the comments that expressed offense or that it painted Wilkinsburg in a negative light, I can understand their perspective and have asked for the Wilkinsburg Public Library to take it down. It will be taken down over the course of today.

“From here, we can continue on with the witty remarks that were shown in the past AND be respectful of individuals’ feelings,” the mayor concluded.

Responses to the library’s original post:

“I have fines on mines,” one user said.

Another user exclaimed, “This is fabulous!”

Still another, who apparently enjoyed the humor, said, “I don’t even live near there and I want to visit this location.”

Others didn’t quite find it funny.

One poster asked, “… So what can we do TOGETHER to change this please?”

Another person posted a comment that deemed the first post dismissive and shot back.

“This negative comment shows the caliber of the people working at the library. Your job is to help not criticize. Shame on you!! Is this #Wilkinsburg good all over?”