People talking books
A wide range of opinions brought out at open forum
It was standing room only at the forum held by the Anderson County Library Board on Monday night at Clinton Community Center to discuss questionable books in the library. (photo:Pete Gwada )
About 70 people signed up to speak at the standing-room-only meeting, which lasted more than two-and-a-half hours. The crowd ranged in age from toddlers and children to the elderly.
Library Board Chairman Joshua Anderson informed the crowd that to date, three questionable books had been considered and the library retained them, and that another book was being considered by a committee.
He said the Library Board would take no action that evening.
“We are not here to debate,” Anderson said. “We are here to listen.”
Anderson County Law Director Jay Yeager was present but did not speak.
As at the last Library Board meeting, opinions ranged from those having conservative Christian views to those supporting the LGBT movement. On one side, people objected to books they did not agree with, and on the other side were those who totally supported the books in question.
In between were those who did not like the books but felt that others who thought differently should have access to them. Some felt the questionable books should be kept out of the children’s section.
Some felt that it should be the parents’ responsibility to monitor what their own children read, but should not regulate what other people’s children read.
Some complained of their tax money being spent on books they found objectionable. Others said that their tax money is spent for other things besides books that they do not agree with.
Commissioner Tim Isbel was on the Library Board in 2011. He said he learned from his experience that books can’t be banned, but they can be restricted.
“Why ban books no one is forcing your children to read?” was one person’s opinion. “This is about hate and fear.”
“Libraries are extremely important to making sure everyone has access to information,” was the opinion of another speaker.
Several speakers supported the professional judgment of the librarians and the system in place to determine whether a book should be restricted.
“I encourage you to read the banned books; every banned book should be read,” was one opinion.
While several speakers quoted from the Bible, others pointed out that the Bible refers to some things that could be considered graphic or objectionable.
Commissioner Stephan Verran expressed a political view when he said that a list of 14 objectionable books was put out by the Republican National Committee to stir up hate against the LGBT community, adding, “Jesus said for us to love one another.”
While some speakers said some of the books in question were meant for sex education, another speaker said that topic should be taught at home and from the Bible.
“If you don’t want your children to look at these books, tell them,” was how one speaker felt.
“Anger is not the answer,” was one opinion. “Loving is the answer.”
One person spoke of the values when he was growing up in the in the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s.
“Our kids are growing up with a different set of values,” he said. “We have lost our way. This stuff should not be available to children.’”
Commissioner Anthony Allen, who has been spearheading the campaign against certain books, said that taxpayers’ funds are being used for books that are sexually graphic and sexually obscene.