(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Evanston Public Library on Thursday issued a public apology for using imagery that some consider racist.
The library frequently creates book displays related to upcoming events. For an event scheduled about police reform, an employee printed a book cover featuring the “Thin Blue Line” flag on a flyer.
The symbol — which includes a blue line sandwiched between black bars — has been associated with police solidarity but also has been used by white supremacist groups.
“Because this has become a harmful image, and we take our work around racial equity very seriously, and know that this has become offensive, and can be harmful, we apologized,” Karen Danczak-Lyons, executive director of the Evanston Public Library, said.
The promotional flyer was not published online. Danczak-Lyons said it was on display in the library for less than a day before an employee noticed and replaced it.