Library patrons object to and defend explicit books for youth

DAYTON–Nearly 50 attended in person and another 20 online to give or hear comment on the book collection to the Columbia County Rural Library Board of Trustees at the monthly board meeting on October 17. The public comment period was the last item on the agenda, so attendees listened through the regular business, including Director Todd Vandenbark's report and a budget update. A special budget hearing was set for November 7 at 6:30 p.m.

Board members Jay Ball, Charles Beleny, Michele Smith and Sharon Mendel were present in person. Karin Spann was present online. Vandenbark opened the meeting, citing from the Library Bill of Rights written in 1939. "Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment."

At one point during the regular business meeting, Chairman Jay Ball asked where things stood with reviewing books for reconsideration. Vandenbark answered that he was delayed in starting the review process by two weeks due to unforeseen events, but he is currently reviewing 11 books that have been pulled from circulation and plans to issue his response to patrons who filled out the reconsideration forms by October 28. He clarified his decision will be to either remove the books, recatologue them or leave them where they were. If a patron is not satisfied with his decision, they can appeal to the Board.

Of those present, at least seven elected officials were in attendance including County Commissioner Charles Amerein, City Councilmembers Tyler Dieu, Dain Nysoe and Laura Aukerman (online), Port Commissioners Seth Bryan and Johnny Watts, and Hospital Board Member Barbara Miller. During the public comment period, Dieu and Bryan made statements opposing the explicit content in the children's library. They were two of ten comments questioning the appropriateness of the books for children and their location.

Jessica Ruffcorn called for immediate action to move the books out the children's section, as well as for the immediate removal of Vandenbark as director. She also requested the library institute a rating system similar to other media, and that books, rated for children 13 years or older, not be available to younger kids. Melissa Bryan stated that she stood in agreement with Ruffcorn.

Michelle Dieu Marll asked about the books the library had placed around the community during and since Banned Books Week, some of which were titles that are under review. Chairman Ball responded that those copies were for people to take and keep.

Cindi John provided comment in concern that if kids are given too much information, it will encourage sexual and sometimes predatory behavior.

Mary Ann Ward was one of eight comments in favor of the books and said that in considering equality, diversity and inclusion, the books need to remain where they were.

Theresa Eier emphasized that the books help those youth who have questions about their identity and they can be an important resource to have something to identify with. She made an appeal that as a community that must live and work together to be more inclusive and accepting of diversity and "to stop with the bias and division."

Desirae Lockard said when she read through the books, she thought they had value in teaching about consent, safe sex, and reinforcing how engaging in sex acts with minors is illegal. She argued that the long chapter books would not appeal to younger kids, so she does not see a problem with their location.

Katie Leid spoke from her experience as the Dayton Elementary principal for nine years and said that at the last library meeting, she learned more about sex than she ever cared to but thinks the community needs to come together and do what's best for the kids. She stated that libraries have the right to offer the books and said, "I believe in all the things that are in those libraries."

One sixth grade student said she wants to see the books available to kids including those with sexual content to learn from them rather from social media or people on the streets.

Claudia Nysoe spoke as a "Friend of the Library" and thought that the books could be moved. While she emphasized that parent's need to monitor what their kids are doing, she offered another solution that she thought everyone could agree on of using a monitoring system that alerts the librarian when kids try to check out books that are not allowed by their parents.

Overall, multiple people from both sides of the issue suggested the books be moved. Several opposing the explicit books in the children's library asked for additions to the collection policy about content, whereas others thought the books should be left as in the children's library.