Is it free speech or pornography?
More books ‘of concern’ brought before County Commission
It seems that Anderson County residents have taken an interest in whether books in the library system are appropriate for children or are even appropriate for adult library patrons.
A large number of people attended the Feb. 21 Anderson County Commission meeting to voice their opinions on certain library books.
Commissioner Anthony Allen passed out a bundle of paperwork to commissioners containing illustrations and excerpts from books in the library system that caused him concern.
These were books he said “need to be looked at.”
They are in addition to three books county law director Jay Yeager recently rendered a legal opinion on for the library board.
Allen said there is a wider selection of books that concerned some citizens than the three books Yeager reviewed.
Yeager said that, according to the law, the three books he reviewed were not pornographic, but he advised shelving them where children would not have access to them.
“Don’t confuse our legal opinion with our personal opinion,” Yeager said. He suggested any complaints about a particular book be brought to the library board and he would render a legal opinion on that book. Yeager could not comment on any of the books Allen brought up because he was not familiar with them.
Allen disagreed with Yeager on one of the books. He read an excerpt from “It Feels Good To Be Yourself.” He then went on to read the definition of pornography according to Tennessee law. He said the book was pornographic because, as the law stated, that taken as a whole it lacked “serious literary, artistic and political or scientific value.”
Commissioners voted against scheduling a public hearing, which would have to be advertised in advance of the hearing date. However, they did allow everyone who wanted to speak to do so. The polarity of opinions was evidenced by the fact that one speaker read a passage from one of the questionable books while another speaker read from the Bible.
“This is going behind the library board’s back,” said Commissioner Stephan Verran. “Everybody can find something offensive in the library.”
“One of the biggest issues is where they are displayed,” Yeager said. He recommended a restricted area for certain books where parental consent would be required for children to check out the books.
Commissioner Tim Isbel said a similar problem arose when he was on the library board in 2011. He said the questionable book was placed in a secure area where only adults could have access to it.
Commissioner Shain Vowell said people in his district were in favor of totally removing some books. “We as commissioners have an obligation to answer book complaints regardless of the library board.”
Allen wanted to know what parents felt about these books. “We need to let people talk about them,” he said.
Yeager offered the opinion that it is illegal to sell, rent or lend material that is considered pornographic according the law. He said the library board may not be aware of some books that could be considered pornographic.
In response to a question from Commissioner Denise Palmer, Yeager said that if there were a lawsuit concerning a library book, the commissioners would be one of the parties to the suit.
Commissioner Robert McKamey expressed the opinion the library board should hold a public hearing. He did not want to micromanage another board.
Miria Webb, director of the Clinton Public Library, was asked about the library board’s process for a complaint about a particular book. She said there was a form a person could fill out. Then a subcommittee of the library board would read the book in its entirety and have a discussion on the book. If the person who lodged the complaint was not satisfied with the subcommittee’s action, the entire library board would evaluate the book
“You have a good process,” said Donna Maloney. “Let the (library) board do what it does. You have a process; please abide by it.”
“I don’t find any of them offensive,” Greg Smith said of the three books the law director reviewed. “These look like good tools to me for children and families.”
He voiced support for the library board to make the best decisions regarding choice of books.
“The very act of trying to hide something brings it to light,” Keven Jennings said. He was in favor of books dealing with gender and gender identity. He pledged to donate $500 to buy copies of any book that was banned and give copies to youth who were interested.
While Allen said he was not in favor of banning books, in referring to the books in question he said, “I don’t think any child should be exposed to this.”
“Read these books in context,” said Michelle Dickens. “The people who want to ban books are against freedom of speech. Groups that ban books end up on the wrong side of history.”
“This does not have anything to do with choices of lifestyles,”Mayor Terry Frank said of a graphic illustration from one of the questionable books that a speaker displayed to commissioners. “That was pornography and it was pretty clear to me it was pornography.” She vowed to take action on the matter.
The Courier News contacted the mayor several days after the meeting and asked her what action she was taking.
She said she had been researching applicable state and federal laws as well as library board policies and procedures. She was also researching how possible obscenity violations should be addressed and what reporting action is proper.
Possible obscenity violations have been reported to the county law director and the district attorney general for review.