MSB suspends challenged materials review policy

For over a year, there has been a small but vocal group that has been raising concerns about books that they perceived as “sexualized” and “grooming” which has spurred the Matanuska Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD) to respond with the formation of the Library Citizens’ Advisory Committee, whose responsibility it is to read each book, determine if the book meets the parameters for Alaska’s legal definition of pornographic materials, and then recommend if the book should be removed from all shelves, or restricted to specific grade levels.

Beyond that, the group spearheaded by Jackie Goforth and a few others, has begun targeting public libraries in the MSB, citing books specifically in the ‘Young Adult’ category, as ‘pornographic and have challenged them for removal.

The fervor over controversial books will be addressed in federal court after the ACLU and the Northern Justice Project, representing eight families from the school district in a lawsuit. An injunction is currently pending asking for the books to be returned to school library shelves.

During the January 18 MSB Assembly meeting, Goforth, who has become such a fixture that she was simply addressed as “Jackie” at the meeting, again called out several Young Adult books during the public comment portion of the meeting.

In his weekly Manager’s posts, in which he typically discusses and reports on issues specific to upcoming meetings and other items concerning the MSB, Mike Brown said that he was suspending the Borough’s challenged review materials policy, saying in the post:

“The meetings have devolved into a shouting match and name-calling that is not producing a positive outcome for our community. I acknowledge the value of having a process for patrons to challenge material, but until such time as we can come up with a different approach, there is no value in continuing to put materials through the current process.”

Brown said that since the process began, three books were moved from the young adult section to the adult section, and one was removed from the shelf altogether.

This is the latest in tense meetings between public officials and those wanting to remove books from public libraries. Last year, during a Wasilla City Council meeting, Wasilla Mayor Glenda Ledford recommended that books labeled ‘Young Adult’ be moved to “Adult’ section in the Wasilla Public Library after Goforth and several city council members voiced concern over several books in the Young Adult section. Mayor Ledford said that the move needs to be labeled as a temporary move, otherwise the city runs the risk of violating federal law. Mayor Ledford called the library reconsideration debate a ‘fiasco’ and said that, “We have to be very careful and concise about what we do.”

Library Director Zane Treesh addressed the council during that same meeting:

“The Wasilla Public Library recognizes the right of every citizen to read and gather information and his or her right to freedom from censorship by other persons,” he said, adding, “many books are controversial, and any given item may offend some persons. However, selection for this library will not be made on the basis of anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely on the merits of the material and relation to the building, the collection, and serving the interests of all readers.” He then reiterated that censorship of library material is purely an individual matter, saying that anyone is free to reject for themselves any book or other materials in which they don’t approve.

“We cannot allow the right of censorship to restrict the freedom of others.”

Treesh also said that with regard to what library materials a child may use, that decision reverts back to the parents or guardians, something Mayor Ledford agreed with, admonishing Goforth and others who’ve been leading the charge to remove books from public libraries.

“It’s not your responsibility. It’s mine,” she said. “Where does it end?”

Brown defended the MSB libraries, saying, “Our libraries have not provided materials that violate state or federal laws. If material were identified as violating a law, it would be removed immediately.”

He went on to say that the Library Board would be changing the labeling of ‘Young Adult’ books from 14-17 years of age to 16-17 years of age, saying that this move is intended to communicate that there may be materials in the young adult section that some may deem inappropriate for 14- and 15-year-olds, and parents can make those decisions.

Borough youth library cards require a parental signature, which acknowledges that control of what a minor checks out is the responsibility of the parent. Parents have the ability to log into their children’s library accounts online and view what has been checked out, and our libraries will provide check-out information to them as well.

Brown said that he has asked staff to cancel the Library Advisory Board meeting that was planned for February 13 and will provide an update at the next MSB Assembly meeting, scheduled for February 6.