Indianapolis Public Library disputes large attendance estimate for Kirk Cameron's Christian children's book reading: 'We've had bigger events'



One might reason that a public library would be thrilled by a huge crowd showing for an event at its location, particularly when kids are part of the throng. You're talking about many potential brand-new book borrowers, the possibility of numerous return visits, and more foot traffic — all of which may equal greater interest in the library.

But the Indianapolis Public Library seems none too pleased about an attendance estimate for Kirk Cameron's reading of his God-focused children's book "As I Grow," which took place at there Thursday.

Specifically, the library tweeted Friday that an attendance estimate of 2,500 is inaccurate — and far fewer folks showed up than was noted on social media:

\u201cWe are being inaccurately portrayed in news/social after a room rental yesterday. Our estimated door count during the event is around 750, not 2500. We've had larger events. We turn 150 yrs old in 2023. And our auditorium, which our guests chose not to rent, holds 300, not 2000.\u201d
— Indianapolis Public Library (@Indianapolis Public Library) 1672410431

"We are being inaccurately portrayed in news/social after a room rental yesterday," the library tweeted without naming Kirk Cameron or his book. "Our estimated door count during the event is around 750, not 2500. We've had larger events. We turn 150 yrs old in 2023. And our auditorium, which our guests chose not to rent, holds 300, not 2000."

Here's one tweet the library apparently didn't like:

\u201cThis is a message to every library in the United States: \n\nIn 137 years of the Indianapolis Public Library\u2019s history, NEVER ONCE have they had over 2,500 people show up to a single event. \n\nUNTIL TODAY.\u201d
— BRAVE Story Hour (@BRAVE Story Hour) 1672343054

How are folks reacting?

The library's tweet disputing the attendance has been getting a lot of attention, with most commenters wasting no time skewering Cameron and accusing him of lying. However, a handful of folks chastened the library for being petty:

  • "Does it truly disturb you so much that an event, centered on Christianity, drew a large, predominantly white, audience? How pathetic you must be......." one commenter noted.
  • "Libraries finally are getting people back in the door, and now they want to rip their tax paying customers who keep the lights [on] and pay their salaries b/c they are conservative," another user said. "You [would] think they'd be thankful, but I guess libraries are only for liberals now. Backwards if you ask me."
  • "How about thanking them for their patronage and bringing at least 750 parents and children to experience the library?" another commenter wondered.

Anything else?

Cameron — who was scheduled to do another reading Friday afternoon at Scarsdale (New York) Public Library — appeared on Fox News also on Friday to talk about the controversy over his attempts to hold readings of his book at public libraries:

\u201cTime to have a "meeting room rental" non-sponsored event where @KirkCameron will read "As You Grow" that is STILL not listed on the event calendar as of December 30th, 12:30pm CT.\n\n@scarsdalelib\u201d
— BRAVE Story Hour (@BRAVE Story Hour) 1672425567

Here are a few other looks at what went down at the Indianapolis Public Library on Thursday — starting with a rendition of "God Bless America":

\u201cAt this point most are staying in line upstairs. Some are going downstairs. It's not clear when or if there will be an additional reading. Folks are singing in the aisles awaiting direction. An announcement was made on the intercom but couldn't hear. @KirkCameron @indylibrary\u201d
— Ryan Wilson (@Ryan Wilson) 1672330377
\u201cWhat a turnout, Indianapolis!!\n\n\u2066@BraveBooksUS\u2069\u201d
— Trent Talbot (@Trent Talbot) 1672331681
\u201cWow! What an incredible turnout!\n\nThank you to everyone who gave up their morning to join us in Indianapolis!\n\nWe are so humbled & thankful for your support!\n\n@KirkCameron\u201d
— BRAVE Story Hour (@BRAVE Story Hour) 1672332139
\u201cLibrary staff has informed patrons that there will not be room for all guests to enjoy the book reading. As you can see, the building appears well beyond capacity. @KirkCameron @indylibrary #childstoryhour\u201d
— Ryan Wilson (@Ryan Wilson) 1672328486

Video: Massive overflow audience descends upon Kirk Cameron's reading of his God-focused children's book at Indianapolis Public Library



It was a mob scene Thursday at Kirk Cameron's reading of his God-focused children's book at the Indianapolis Public Library — except this mob didn't do what mobs do; rather it was just smiles, cheering, and laughter all around.

\u201cThis is a message to every library in the United States: \n\nIn 137 years of the Indianapolis Public Library\u2019s history, NEVER ONCE have they had over 2,500 people show up to a single event. \n\nUNTIL TODAY.\u201d
— BRAVE Story Hour (@BRAVE Story Hour) 1672343054

Folks even sang "God Bless America":

\u201cAt this point most are staying in line upstairs. Some are going downstairs. It's not clear when or if there will be an additional reading. Folks are singing in the aisles awaiting direction. An announcement was made on the intercom but couldn't hear. @KirkCameron @indylibrary\u201d
— Ryan Wilson (@Ryan Wilson) 1672330377

Brave Books — Cameron's publisher for his "As You Grow" children's book — earlier this month said two public libraries agreed to let him do readings for kids after initially saying no to the actor and outspoken Christian.

Cameron told Fox News Digital he "won" after challenging the libraries' denials and threatening to "assert" his "rights in court" — not to mention the libraries hosted drag queen story hours in June, according to the cable network.

One of the libraries to agree to Cameron's reading was the Indianapolis Public Library; the other was Scarsdale (New York) Public Library, where Cameron was scheduled to do a reading Friday.

Check out Cameron addressing the huge crowd at the Indy library:

\u201cWhat a turnout, Indianapolis!!\n\n\u2066@BraveBooksUS\u2069\u201d
— Trent Talbot (@Trent Talbot) 1672331681

"You guys! They're gonna let me speak over the loudspeaker, the PA, because there's about 1,000 people in the library on other floors that haven't gotten up here, so I'm gonna be talking to everybody in just a few minutes, and I just wanna thank them for coming and thank you for coming and making this such a special event today!"

\u201cWow! What an incredible turnout!\n\nThank you to everyone who gave up their morning to join us in Indianapolis!\n\nWe are so humbled & thankful for your support!\n\n@KirkCameron\u201d
— BRAVE Story Hour (@BRAVE Story Hour) 1672332139

One attendee tweeted that "library staff has informed patrons that there will not be room for all guests to enjoy the book reading. As you can see, the building appears well beyond capacity."

\u201cLibrary staff has informed patrons that there will not be room for all guests to enjoy the book reading. As you can see, the building appears well beyond capacity. @KirkCameron @indylibrary #childstoryhour\u201d
— Ryan Wilson (@Ryan Wilson) 1672328486
\u201cMore video from the @KirkCameron book reading in Indy. Thousands of people here! @indylibrary\u201d
— Ryan Wilson (@Ryan Wilson) 1672327924
\u201c@BraveBooksUS @KirkCameron Story time was great today! I think the best part for adults was listening to the librarian say there were too many people on the 6th floor & ask parents to bring the kids to a different floor for a different activity \ud83d\ude02 We all wanted Kirk's story time!\u201d
— Concerned Hoosier Mom (@Concerned Hoosier Mom) 1672334660
\u201cQuite the line to see @KirkCameron in Indy! I would suggest @indylibrary failed to serve the needs of its' constituents by not having this event downstairs. But God is good and all are still welcome in the small room!\u201d
— Ryan Wilson (@Ryan Wilson) 1672327755

Over 50 public libraries across the U.S. either rejected Cameron's requests for a story-hour program for children or did not respond to his publisher's inquiries, Fox News said, citing Brave Books.

Initially, the Indianapolis library employee who spoke to Brave Books about Cameron's reading said, "We are really looking at authors who are diverse. Authors of color. That’s really been our focus," the cable network reported.

When Brave Books countered that Cameron's book also adds to diversity of ideas and beliefs, the library representative replied, "Well, we are focusing on racial equity," Fox News said.

Fox News Digital said it reached out to both libraries for comment.

Kamala Harris embarrasses herself (and America) in front of the entire world with latest speech



Vice President Kamala Harris was brutally mocked on Twitter over the weekend for making what was possibly her most embarrassing "word salad" speech so far at the internationally broadcast Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.

Harris used the phrase "work together" multiple times in a single rambling sentence, reminding many listeners of another infamous speech when she repeated the phrase “the significance of the passage of time” over and over in the span of about 30 seconds.

“Our world is more interconnected and interdependent. That is especially true when it comes to the climate crisis, which is why we will work together, and continue to work together, to address these issues, to tackle these challenges, and to work together as we continue to work operating from the new norms, rules, and agreements, that we will convene to work together on to galvanize global action. With that, I thank you all. This is a matter of urgent priority for all of us and I know we will work on this together," Harris says in a video clip that has been shared more than 3 million times on Twitter.

Watch:


KAMALA: "We will work together, and continue to work together, to address these issues, to tackle these challenges, and to work together as we continue to work operating from the new norms, rules, and agreements, that we will convene to work together...We will work together"pic.twitter.com/AblARhoSQj
— RNC Research (@RNC Research) 1652578673

Right. So, does everyone remember this one?

the significance passage of time... yeah... the significance passage of time... the significance passage of time...https://twitter.com/charliekirk11/status/1506026218776268804\u00a0\u2026
— Vladislav Ginko (@Vladislav Ginko) 1652625445

Unbelievably, the vice president actually appeared to be reading this horribly embarrassing speech.

Worst part of this is that it looks like it was actually a *prepared* speech
— Lauren Chen (@Lauren Chen) 1652620335
#KamalaHarris "Work together... work together... work together... work together... work together... work together."\n\nWho's writing these speeches?pic.twitter.com/96wt1OWZHU
— SHARKINTHEWATER \ud83d\udd25\ud83e\udd88 (@SHARKINTHEWATER \ud83d\udd25\ud83e\udd88) 1652642813
Who in the world is writing this stuff for her?? I cannot believe that an intelligent adult with creative writing skills could possibly be putting down this redundant nonsense!!
— Kevin Figg (@Kevin Figg) 1652578883


same thing I\u2019m wondering ! Then I saw She writes her own Speeches!!
— Rich (@Rich) 1652710134


Does she even read anything before she says it out loud... you know, just in case it's stupid. #kamalawordsaladhttps://twitter.com/realDailyWire/status/1525656051210760192\u00a0\u2026
— Christine Mc (@Christine Mc) 1652616478

It didn't take long before #KamalaTheClown and #KamalaWordSalad were trending on Twitter:

I wonder if the goal is to work together? Not sure. #KamalaTheClown #KamalaWordSalad #Cringehttps://twitter.com/polarisnatsec/status/1525636852295794692\u00a0\u2026
— Brad (@Brad) 1652645636


@VP Madam VP what on earth are you talking about? For one so articulate, you seem to be caught up in a word salad. #Sad so much for your JD and litigation training...#KamalaHarris #kamalawordsaladhttps://twitter.com/BretBaier/status/1525647228534145024\u00a0\u2026
— MJ Harris (@MJ Harris) 1652628501


A trend is a trendy thing. When things trend, trendy people will be a part of the trend. And when trendy people get involved, it becomes trendy. So in conclusion, trends are necessary for trendy people #kamalawordsalad
— Real DH \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf2 (@Real DH \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf2) 1652632788


Number 2 with the finger on the button.\n\n#KamalaWordSaladhttps://twitter.com/realDailyWire/status/1525656051210760192\u00a0\u2026
— W.A.Dad (@W.A.Dad) 1652663493
Wonder how she passed high school english?\nWhat a complete disaster.
— EichBomb\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@EichBomb\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1652582936
More classic hits from the great wordsmith\u2026\nCould she actually be worse than Brandon???
— Trent Harris (@Trent Harris) 1652578392

At least someone came up with an idea for how we can all help drown our shame while watching our second-in-command make a complete mockery of herself and our nation:

DRINK everytime she says Work Together...
— Lord Brian Urso, Lead Guitarist of Gideons Mob (@Lord Brian Urso, Lead Guitarist of Gideons Mob) 1652609730

Cheers!