Changes suggested

County attorney makes recommendations to county’s Library Board

July 19, 2023 by Pete Gawda

There could soon be a conclusion to the controversy concerning certain library books.

There was standing room only for the Thursday, July 13, meeting of the Anderson County Library Board at Rocky Top Library when Jay Yeager, the county’s law director, presented his recommendations for changes to library policy.

In his memo to the board Yeager stressed that his recommendations were not required mandates.

However, he went on to “respectfully request that the library board take these recommendations seriously in order to avoid unnecessary legal proceedings in the form of potential criminal prosecution and/or civil lawsuits.”

Yaeger discussed the Tennessee statutes defining pornography and the necessity for keeping such material away from minors.

Yeager recommended that the application for children’s library cards be revised. He felt the application should have a statement that parents were required to sign if they wanted their children to have access to books that might be considered questionable.

He said most parents are not aware of what their children can check out, and it is hard for librarians to be babysitters.

The recommendation suggested that the consent form contain a statement that the Library Board recommends parents review materials before they let their children check them out.

“I believe parenting is a big issue,” he said. “It is very important that we don’t put too much of a burden on librarians.”

Yeager recommended that the Library Board work with the school system to use the most up-to-date filters for the internet system and that parents should give express permission for their minor children to access the internet.

Yeager’s proposed policy would forbid anyone under 18 from having access to restricted adult materials.

“If you adopt policy with a restricted area, you need to hold to it,” he said.

The proposed policy would require the Library Board to be aware of all books purchased, and all books would be listed on the website before they go into circulation. Also, any books for minors should be reviewed in light of applicable laws.

The complaint process would also be revised.

The local librarian would review the questionable book first. If the complainant is not satisfied with the review, the complaint could go to a three-person committee.

The branch librarian and employees of the branch library containing the questionable book would not be allowed to serve on the committee. The Library Board would then be required to ratify the review committee’s decision. The complainant would then have the right to appeal to the entire Library Board.

Any additional complaints on the same book would not be heard for three years unless a new edition of the book came out sooner.

“We are going to work through this together,” Yeager said. “I am going to try my hardest to avoid lawsuits and protect the Library Board. “

Before next month’s Library Board meeting, a subcommittee will meet to consider the law director’s recommendations.

“We have made some gains as a community,” Joshua Anderson, Library Board chairman said, noting that questionable books have been moved to the adult section.

County Commissioner Shane Vowell noted that the county might end up in court if the law director’s recommendations are ignored. He said the issue was not banning ebooks, but restricting them from children.

“We as parents have a right to push back,” said Nathan Mullins. “Now that you know it is not book banning, let’s all cooperate.”

“Parents need to be responsible for children, not librarians,” was the opinion of one speaker.

“We need to protect our children from these products whether they be alcohol, tobacco, or pornography,” was the opinion of Commissioner Anthony Allen.

He again stated that all questionable books should be removed from the library and not hidden behind a counter.