MSBSD issues statement regarding preliminary injunction in library book review case

On Thursday, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD) issued a statement in response to the preliminary injunction issued by U.S. District court judge Sharon Gleason, which stated that most of the 56 books that had been removed from MSBSD library shelves must be returned by Aug. 14.

“This decision validates the work of the library committee and is in line with the decisions made by the board on the reviewed books,” the press release, issued by the new Public Information Officer John Notestine, stated.

The release went on to say that the Library Citizens Advisory Committee (LCAC), formed under Board Policy 1220, worked to address concerns over certain book titles found in some MSBSD public school libraries. The committee consisted of 11 people, including one representative appointed by each of the seven school board members and four MSBSD employees. The committee, tasked with reading and discussing the challenged books, provided their outcomes to the school board on whether the reviewed library books met the definition of "Indecent Material" as defined in the Alaska Statute 11.61.128.

“The Court's decision directs the District to report on what it has already done including the reshelving of books as directed by the Board and to expeditiously complete the book review process and report the status to the court by August 14, 2024.”