By Gretchen Garrity
Over three years ago, members of the community became aware that age inappropriate and sexually explicit books were being shelved in the Christian County Library's children and teen sections. Appealing to the library board was ineffective. An uproar occurred, resulting in several town hall events sponsored by the county commission.
Citizens were
activated and began taking a closer look at how these books were
finding their way into our library system. At the top of the system
is the American Library Association, which works closely with some of
the biggest book publishers. Together, there is a tight system of
promoting agendas that run counter to a healthy culture that protects
children.
The publishers seek out authors who are willing to produce books that often amount to smut, and this blog has exposed many of them. Additionally, the ALA acts as the arbiter of professional library training through their accreditation monopoly, along with dozens of spin-off organizations that all undermine a commonsense culture of protecting children.
The result: hundreds of age inappropriate books are marketed to children and teens and made freely available to them, often right under unsuspecting parents’ noses. At one point, it was noted that at least 400 such books were shelved in our district’s four library branches. And the books keep coming. Even if the books were all restricted/relocated today, book purveyors are working hard to make sure more are coming down the pipeline.
Due to the uproar, the county commissioners took back the appointment process and began vetting candidates for the library board. This resulted in a complete turn over of the board during the last couple years. Three of the five current board members were all previously active in advocating to protect children from exposure to sexually explicit books.
How well have they accomplished their goal? While there have been some gains such as disassociating from the ALA (which still has a large influence), and updating the bylaws to better reflect library governance according to statute, much remains to be done.
How many sexually
explicit books have been restricted or relocated? What is the
collection policy for children’s and teens’ books? Does it reflect state and federal law? Has the staff
been trained to review books before they purchase or do they simply
continue to rely on organizations like the ALA, various publishers and
reviewers? Are books bought in lots or bundles without review?
I ask these questions because yet another sexually explicit book, just published in February 2026, has been purchased and shelved in our library. That book is titled Sibylline. It is described five times in the online catalog as “Juvenile fiction.” The publishers originally marketed this book for ages 14-17, but the outrage among reviewers who received advance copies of the book was such that the book is now being marketed for age 17 and up. An incremental concession by the publisher.
There is at least one copy in the Ozark library’s teen section (ages 12-17). The book contains the rape of a minor, explicit sex, a 'threesome', and 'adjacent' necrophilia. Let me explain. The teen was described as not breathing, as motionless, as dead. That he was found not to be dead pages later is little consolation to the non-consensual nature of the sex scene. The comments at Goodreads are hard hitting and unusual for a secular review site. And here is a short discussion of Sibylline with Allie Beth Stuckey and Anne Sey of Library4kiddos.com.
At a January strategic planning meeting, the library's Executive Director Will Blydenburgh planned to begin formulating an updated collection policy. His idea was to present at the February meeting a portion of a collection policy--the introduction and scope. He promoted the idea of presenting to the board a collection policy in "chunks" on an ongoing basis. "Maybe we can do another addition, you know, whether it's March or April. We'll see where we stand. But we'd get started in February for that meeting," he said (advance the video to about 59 minutes).
That did not happen. What happened was an assertion the collection policy was being worked on, but there was no draft of even the beginning of a policy. What did happen amounted to a diversionary tactic: the presentation of an Amazon Wish List that citizens could access to buy and donate books to the library. Video HERE (advanced to the 1:05:00 time stamp).
The thing is, AI can write a collection policy in seconds, formulated and geared toward the needs of Christian County. It could be tweaked and polished, added to or corrected in any manner.
I know because I did it. Choose any AI program you want to, add in any applicable laws and so on. Indeed, there are many well-written collection policies that are ALA-averse and easily available. I believe the library board is aware of at least one or two.
So, the question must be asked: Why is a collection policy taking a year or more to formulate? Why are drafts going to be provided in "chunks" while books like Sibylline are still being purchased by library staff and shelved where children have access?
We have a new library board, and a new executive director who has been on the job for seven full months now. And still the vile sexually explicit books are being purchased with taxpayer funds, shelved in our library and made available to minors.The book Sibylline has been checked out. Your child may be reading it right now.
The Library's bylaws state in Art. VIII: "The Board of Trustees has the following powers and responsibilities:
● Policy Setting: The board establishes library policies, including rules for the operation
and use of library facilities and services in coordination with the Executive Director."
There were subcommittee meetings in March and April of 2025 that discuss formulating a policy for the children's collection. It is worth giving a listen to HERE and HERE. The groundwork was being laid. It has since been laid to rest, apparently.
It's a shame the library board is dithering--unable or unwilling
to do the job they were appointed to do in a timely manner. Meanwhile, children have unrestricted access to books like Sibylline. More such books are undoubtedly en route.
There is a library board meeting tonight at 6 p.m. The agenda does include a "Collection Development Policy Update" under Old Business.