MSBSD school board approves library committee recommendations for removal and retention to date

During the Matanuska Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD) school board meeting on February 21, board members voted to approve and accept the recommendations set forth by the Library Citizens’ Advisory Committee (LCAC) to retain or remove the 19 books the committee has reviewed so far.

During the school board meeting, members reviewed the LCAC’s recommendations so far, with five books receiving unanimous votes for retention after agreement that they did not meet the criteria for obscenity or indecent materials. Those titles include “Slaughterhouse Five,” “Kite Runner,” “Persepolis,” “Persepolis 2-A Story of a Return,” and “Drama.”

Member Kathy McCollum made a 4-part motion to accept the LCAC’s recommendations, including retaining the five books that the committee agreed should remain within the school library system.

“I move that the Administration determine the age appropriateness of each title and which libraries will shelve each of these five books, and whether to impose any restrictions.”

13 titles did not produce unanimous recommendations, including 8 books which were not found to meet the standard for the elements of obscenity. Some of those titles included “The Freedom Writers’ Diary,” “19 Minutes,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” and “The Lovely Bones.” The LCAC did recommend that they be retained in high school libraries only.

The LCAC recommended that the other five books might meet the elements of criminal obscenity under the Alaska statute. Those titles were remanded to the MSBSD administration for a final decision on whether the books are obscene and/or whether to restrict access to those books.

Member McCollum moved that those titles be retained within the school libraries and that the administration deliberate and determine the age-appropriateness and which libraries to place the books.

Of the titles that have been reviewed, only one book, “It Ends with Us,” raised substantial concerns, with the LCAC voting unanimously that the book meets the local standards of criminal indecency and by a vote of 10-0, recommending the book not appear in public school libraries in the future. The book is an adult romance book that deals with domestic violence and ongoing verbal and physical abuse. During the committee’s discussion, members took issue with the glorification of abusive sex and domestic violence in the book.

Member Ted Swanson put forth an amendment to the motion that “It Ends with Us” be returned to the LCAC for a second vote after two members of that committee abstained from voting and another member did not record a vote, suggesting that if a book is to be removed and found criminally obscene, it should have a unanimous vote. At the last meeting, the LCAC made a motion that every member must vote.

His amendment did not receive a second and therefore no discussion or vote was held, and the amendment failed. The school board voted 7 to 1 to accept the Library Committee’s recommendations and forward to the school district administration as requested.

Last summer, the school board commissioned the LCAC to review 56 books that have been challenged within the school library system. The committee is made up of 11 members, with seven of the members selected by each school board member and the remaining four members made up of MSBSD employees, including one librarian.

Since then, the LCAC has read 1/3 of the books on the challenged list, meeting monthly to discuss and determine if the books meet the Alaska statute for obscene or indecent materials before making recommendations to determine if the book should be removed or retained, and if retained, to what appropriate school level it should be placed.

During the school board meeting, member McCollum applauded the “enormous task” that LCAC has undertaken, stating that it can’t be easy to read four books a month with many having busy schedules and families, a sentiment echoed by member Ole Larson, who commended the committee for their hard work and transparency.

For more information regarding the Library Citizens’ Advisory Committee, visit https://www.matsuk12.us/Page/49141.

The next MSBSD school board meeting will be held Wednesday, March 6 at the MSBSD Administration Building in Palmer.

The next LCAC meeting set for March is TBD due to the scheduled spring break and Arctic Winter Games.