Library Materials ordinance removed from MSB Assembly meeting

The issue that just won’t go away--what are appropriate materials in libraries--was again brought up at the February 3 meeting of the Mat-Su Borough (MSB) Assembly, as proposed agenda item, Ordinance 26-017, would have sought to remove harmful, explicit and lewd materials from any library operated by the MSB. The ordinance, authored by freshman MSB Assembly person Michael Bowles would have been the most extreme action taken to date regarding material considered harmful to minors.

OR 26-017 would have prohibited materials that are obscene or harmful to minors from being made available in borough-operated libraries, meaning that patrons would have been unable to access those materials through the physical libraries overseen by the MSB, which includes Sutton, Talkeetna, Big Lake, Trapper Creek, and Willow, nor via inter-library loan system.

This follows years of a small but vocal group calling for the removal of books deemed “obscene,” from the children’s and the young adult sections of public libraries, leading to the formation of library committees for the school district and later the MSB that were to read and review books on the challenged lists and recommend actions, including re-shelving into the adult sections or all together removal.

In a summary statement included with the ordinance, Bowles wrote residents have expressed their concerns over sexually explicit material in libraries operated by the MSB, and the ordinance would put in place “a standard for what material shall not be allowed in libraries operated by the borough,” leaving the determination of what was harmful to minors to the Manager, while also giving due consideration to the recommendations of the library board.

However during agenda approval, Bowles removed the ordinance, effectively killing it before it could go further. When pulling the item, he stated that he had been approached by members of the community regarding “tax-payer funded material that they consider obscene,” that children could possibly be exposed to while visiting libraries.

Bowles said that he had received quite a bit of response from residents on both sides of this issue, and upon evaluation, decided that the idea of more regulation to approach the issue would not be a good idea, and the ordinance was “a bad bill.”

“There are things happening already in the Borough, and there are things that have already happened that I have come to learn that I don’t think a lot of people really know about. So I think the proper approach, rather than more regulation, is actually education, awareness, and involving the community. I don’t think we need to add more law.”

Bowles wrote in the summary that as public libraries are funded by taxpayers, they should align their collections with community standards by removing materials deemed inappropriate for general audiences, especially children, and instead focus on educational and age-appropriate materials, rather than controversial or sexually explicit content.

“I think more regulation would not be productive,” said Ralph Baldwin during the public comment period. He said that the community does have a right to require standards of decency in a public library, especially potential items that younger readers may come across, but questioned to what degree is this a current problem. “Or is this just a reaction to a perceived problem?”

“As I get ready to write my check for the last half of my 2025 Borough taxes, I’m not worrying about what libraries are doing or how much of my tax dollar they get,” said Nancy Bertels, who said people voted officials into office to reduce government overreach and reduce taxes, and encouraged members to visit the libraries and speak with their patrons “I think you may find that they want you to move on to what you were elected to do.”

Bowles also wrote that nothing in this ordinance would impede the right of private individuals to access and view materials of their choosing, and if people want materials like Hustler or Playboy, or other materials prohibited at the libraries, “their remedy is to vote out members of the Borough Assembly and vote in members who would change the policy being set in this ordinance.”

Dean Collins, who had never been to an assembly meeting before, said that for him, the library proved a valuable resource, learning things from roasting his own coffee, to getting a better garden going, to options when he got sick “When I found out I had cancer, I was able to explore a whole bunch of options for treatment,” he said adding that he regularly uses the Sutton Library. “This is important stuff to me, and to say well, you can’t have that anymore because some kid might see something…you’re going to take that away from me.”

“Only a child’s parent or guardian really knows what appropriate reading material for that individual kid. Taking all reading materials out of libraries that might not be appropriate for children 16 and under is not an equitable solution,” said Martha Grover.

Only one person, Jackie Goforth, spoke in support of removal of “obscene” materials, citing a previously challenged book, “Let’s Talk About It: The Teen’s Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human,” as an example of obscene materials that people defend. “This is what we mean when we say there’s obscenity in the library.”

Bowles told the assembly that after discussing the issue with MSB Manager Mike Brown, a campaign of education and awareness would be a better option. “Actually get information out to residents that there actually are things in place that members of the community can do address any material they find in a library that they may consider inappropriate for their children. There’s also a way for parents to sign up and be informed what books their children check out (from the libraries).”