Ohio library system taking heat for tampons in men’s bathrooms

A group of Ohio public libraries is placing tampons in the men’s bathrooms and many residents aren’t happy about it.

State Rep. Rodney Creech, R-West Alexandria, says residents are contacting him, angry about Dayton Metro Library putting the feminine care items in the men’s bathroom at its New Lebanon branch. New Lebanon is a village of 3,800 people.

“Did you know the Dayton Metro Library – New Lebanon Branch has a feminine product dispenser in the Men’s restroom?” Creech wrote in a Facebook post last month. “After receiving several calls and texts from New Lebanon residents I decided to stop and look for myself. I called the Dayton Metro Library and shared my concerns, along with those from the community.”

His post has over 6,400 reactions and 14,000 comments.

Creech told Dayton Daily News he wants the tampon dispensers from the men’s room put in a neutral space outside the bathroom, such as next to the water fountains.

He also thinks the library should respect the values of people in the community.

“The library has decisions to make. We have decisions to make for those same people,” Creech said. “They’ll make theirs, we’ll make ours. I’d rather make them together.”

The library is defending its policy, saying it ensures anyone who wants menstrual products can get them.

“Quite simply, providing free menstruation products in our branches is an issue of health, hygiene, and support of community – that includes fathers visiting with their daughters or brothers with their sisters,” spokesperson Debi Chess told Dayton Daily News.

The library has 19 locations serving over 530,000 residents, and since 2022, its locations have provided tampons in men’s and women’s bathrooms using taxpayer dollars.

Jeffrey Trezciak, the library’s executive director, reportedly declined an opportunity to meet with Creech about the issue. He said he would convene with the lawmaker about “issues of importance such as workforce development, food insecurity, and college readiness.”

Liberals nationwide have put menstrual products, including tampons, in men’s bathrooms at libraries, colleges, K-12 public schools and town halls, among other places, eliciting criticism from conservatives. 

Some companies are beginning to change course after the criticism. Last month for example, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, announced it was removing tampons from its men’s restrooms.