By Gretchen Garrity
The Facebook site, Nixa Neighbors (a private group of almost 17,000 members) included a recent conversation about the Christian County Library. Comments flowed back and forth regarding what books are included in the library's collections, what organizations are ordained to make judgment calls on specific books, whose rights take preeminence, how did the new board come to be appointed, and so on.
Much was asserted that needs correction and clarification. It began with a "top contributor" stating, "I for one am not happy about many of the decisions that are being made. We just lost a qualified librarian that could no longer take the stress of the new board. We should start paying attention before we loose [sic] our PUBLIC LIBRARY."
The major issue seemed to be that there are sexually explicit and age-inappropriate books which are in the children's and teen sections. Citizens disagreed on how to handle it. Interestingly, no one was calling for censoring or banning the books, but only either labeling or restricting access to minors. Others felt it was parents' or caregivers' duty to oversee their children's book selections.
If you have followed the now two-year saga of age-inappropriate books in the Christian County Library, you are well aware that citizens have attempted to compromise and work with the staff and previous board to come to a reasonable conclusion that respects the rights of everyone and protects children.
Unfortunately, the issue continues to fester, hence the county commissioners heard the people and appointed individuals who are willing to listen and respond to citizens. The executive director resigned her position effective January 17, and the Library Board is in the process of finding a new person to fill the role.
One of the comments indicated a Parent Resource Page had been added to the Christian County Library's website in response to concerned citizens. Interestingly, a citizen spoke at the December 16, 2024 monthly library board meeting to illustrate how the Parent Resource Page does not aid parents.
The citizen used as an example the book "Worm Loves Worm," which is a book that contains LGBTQ+ content and was housed within the children's picture book section of the Sparta library branch. It has subsequently been moved to the Nixa branch. The book is targeted to children ages 3 to 5. Noting that there was "no clear indication that it contains LGBTQ+ content," she went on to say, "Even when thumbing through the pages, it's not immediately apparent that this book depicts a same-sex marriage."
The citizen went on to explain that the Parent and Guardian Resources page provides eight solutions. Of the six solutions applicable to this book, all "failed to provide adequate information or resources to identify the content" of the book. The citizen noted, "The CCL's catalog, subject headings, and genre information fail to highlight the LGBTQ+ themes for people to evaluate 'a book by its cover.' Placing the book in the children's picture book section doesn't imply that parents must screen it for same-sex marriage content."
Indeed, the Parent and Guardian Resource page recommended external resources that did not clearly state the same-sex marriage theme in the book. It was most obviously identified by searching the web for other reviews where the citizen was able to find the content theme, as well as other parents/guardians who felt there was indeed a need for content warning.
Following are the parent resource recommendations that failed (the other two were not applicable):
- Searching the catalog
- Subject Headings
- NoveList K-8
- Location of Materials
- Adding Permissions to the Library Cards
- Other Links
So, what other options are there for parents who would like to avoid the over 400 books alone that include sexual content/themes for minor children that many parents object to? Perhaps it is time to consider that parents have a right to protect their children from sexually explicit and age-inappropriate books in a taxpayer-funded public library.
These materials can be classified, cataloged, and placed in a spot appropriate for parents to access for their children, if desired, yet is protective of the rights of OTHER parents. The citizen who spoke in December concluded by saying, "The current system places an unrealistic burden on families to extensively research each book. If the library wishes to empower parents to guide their children's reading choices based on their values, it must implement practical solutions..."
One comment focused on a free online parent resource named "BookLooks.org (which should be noted was created by "concerned
parents who have been frustrated by the lack of resource material for
content-based information regarding books accessible to children and
young adults," according to their website).
The Nixa Neighbor poster disparaged the usefulness of tools like BookLooks, while touting the Parent and Guardian Resource page -- the very resource that failed the citizen researching "Worm Loves Worm."
The same Facebook poster also spoke about the graphic novel, "Fun Home," saying, "Context is important: Fun Home, a graphic novel memoir, was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and nominated for two Eisner awards. It was adapted into a stage musical which won 5 Tony awards and was itself a Pulitzer Prize for Drama finalist. This is shelved in the adult section of the library, and was on a display last year in the common area of the library near the front desk. The display was based on the New York Times 100 Best Books of the 21st Century...Fun Home was not shelved or display [sic] next to children's superhero comics."
The library's current policy regarding access says, "Placement of print materials in the Library is generally determined by publisher’s grade and age reading recommendations. While materials are separated for ease of use, patrons are not limited to these recommendations. All patrons are welcome to browse and check out any materials in the collection. [bolding added] A minor’s use of the library is the sole responsibility of their parent or guardian."
Here is how BookLooks rated "Fun Home." Regardless of being feted and praised and awarded by publishers, producers, and reviewers who represent a small but powerful contingent of nihilistic cultural influencers, "Fun Home" is a book that includes "...alternate sexualities; alternate gender ideologies; profanity; alcohol use; suicide commentary; controversial religious commentary; sexual activities; and sexual nudity," according to the BookLooks summary. It does not mention the pedophilia that is recounted in the book, which you can read about in this review.
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| From: CoolCat |
I advise parents to read the BookLooks review. It is disturbing. This book is currently shelved in the Graphic Novel section of the Christian County Library Nixa branch. If you know the layout of that branch, the adult graphic novel section is located in front of the teen section of the library. Teens can hang out in that area, which has tables and chairs, and freely access the graphic novels (which are really geared toward them anyway).
Additionally, the library's online catalog makes recommendations titled "You May Also Like" on the same page as "Fun Home" and then presents the following books:
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| From: CoolCat |
Note that Gender Queer is geared toward teens and is available in our library.
Here is the current layout of the Adult graphic novel section (or, as it is being called now "Adult Comic Books"), near the Teen section. It is noticeable that minors will have to pass that section in order to access the Teen section, which is against the back wall and in the glass window nook.
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| Layout at the Nixa branch. From: CCL |
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| Display in the Teen section of CCL |
All Boys Aren't Blue is currently being featured in the windowed nook, right bottom corner (above).
The Nixa Neighbors' chat was lively. Citizens who fall on both sides of the issue should attend monthly board meetings and see for themselves how representative government works. An added bonus would be to peruse the children and teen sections of the library and observe the amount of books devoted to particular agendas--an amount out of proportion to the cultural reality in Christian County.
The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees is February 25 at 6 p.m.
