Let's Clarify the Chit Chat

 

 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):

1. Searching the catalog
2. Subject Headings
3. NoveList K-8
4. Location of Materials
5. Adding Permissions to the Library Cards
6. 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.

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:

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.

Layout at the Nixa branch. From: CCL

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.

The Itsy Bitsy Spider, Part Two

 

 

David Rice continues his article series about how public-private partnerships serve to benefit wealthy donors, NGOs, and backdoor government implementation of progressive policies. Media entities like the Springfield Daily Citizen serve as the propaganda vehicle to gain buy-in from unsuspecting citizens.

For a powerful example from his article:

"The push for easy abortions is having an effect. Fewer and fewer individuals are coming up through the school system. You can see the immediate impact Roe V. Wade had on the age group about 50 years ago. There are far fewer people in the age group of 45-49 than in any other group. That’s my age group. We were aborted eagerly by our parent’s generation for their Free Love. We should be furious. Look at what’s happening to the youngest group under 5. They are being aborted, too. 

Why do politicians talk about it like it’s a childcare crisis then when fewer children need childcare? They see that the largest group is preparing to leave high school schools across the nation, which are going to look empty, and one of the largest unions in the country will have teachers who aren’t employed."

Folks, the childcare crisis that Gov. Kehoe, House Speaker Jon Patterson, and Sen. Cindy O'Laughlin are pushing is FAKE. It's all about organizational and government control of US and our CHILDREN. It is high time to wake up.

Read the whole thing HERE. Part One is linked there, too.

Mugwump Media interviews Sen. Mike Moon

 

The Propaganda Grid

 

 Part One of David Rice's Series on the control grid of propaganda and manipulation in our community:

The Web of Institutional Control in Southwest Missouri

Ozark School Board Meeting at 4 p.m.

 

The Spider Web of Propaganda

 

David Rice has written a series on the propaganda web that surrounds our local communities in Missouri. It isn't just the national media--it's here and it's insidious.

I am pleased to introduce his series, "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" with an article published at Hick Christian, "How the Spider Web of Propaganda Affects You."

First in his series drops tomorrow HERE.

Ozark School District Board in a Pickle

 By Gretchen Garrity

I have written previously about the vacancy on the Ozark School Board HERE, and spoke with Brian Rohlman (see HERE) about the Board's current intention to appoint a member to the vacancy left by Guy Calloway.

Instead of appointing someone until the election in April, the Board is determined to appoint someone to fill the position until April 2026, when Calloway's position would have been up for election.

Citizens have investigated the circumstances surrounding the timing of Calloway's resignation. Calloway moved to Florida and established residency some time in 2024, certainly before his resignation in December. He did not attend the November meeting, nor the December meeting.

The Board, with counsel from their St. Louis attorney, Celynda Brasher, believes they are justified in appointing someone to fill the unexpired term left by Calloway. However, state statute tells another story. Ozark Board Member Christina Tonsing has just published her investigation of the law, as well as a letter she sent to the Board with her findings (see below). Read Tonsing's whole article HERE.

 The Ozark Board is in a pickle at this point. It looks as if they have decided to thwart the voters and choose a individual of their choice to fill the unexpired term. Hopefully, the publication of new information about the situation will give them time to rethink their position, and allow citizens to elect a board member this April.

There is a meeting to appoint a replacement for Calloway on Monday, January 27 at 4pm in the OIC conference room. The meeting is open to the public.

The Book Ban Hoax is Coming to an End

 From The U.S. Department of Education:

"The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today announced that it has dismissed 11 complaints related to so-called “book bans.” The complaints alleged that local school districts’ removal of age-inappropriate, sexually explicit, or obscene materials from their school libraries created a hostile environment for students – a meritless claim premised upon a dubious legal theory. Effective Jan. 24, 2025, OCR has rescinded all department guidance issued under the theory that a school district’s removal of age-inappropriate books from its libraries may violate civil rights laws. OCR is also dismissing six additional pending allegations of book banning and will no longer employ a “book ban coordinator” to investigate local school districts and parents working to protect students from obscene content.

“By dismissing these complaints and eliminating the position and authorities of a so-called ‘book ban coordinator,’ the department is beginning the process of restoring the fundamental rights of parents to direct their children’s education,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor. “The department adheres to the deeply rooted American principle that local control over public education best allows parents and teachers alike to assess the educational needs of their children and communities. Parents and school boards have broad discretion to fulfill that important responsibility. These decisions will no longer be second-guessed by the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education.”

Read it all HERE.

Dan Kleinman of Safe Libraries:

Librarians are absolutely shocked about this and they know it is a danger to their ability to harm children. How do I know? Because not a single one of them is discussing this on any social media. That’s how you know. Silence.

parenting moms dads https://t.co/fAPuX8JJVP

— Dan Kleinman of SafeLibraries® (@SexHarassed) January 25, 2025

Public Meeting at the Christian County Library Today at 4 p.m.

 Agenda HERE. Springfield News-Leader covers the search for an executive director HERE (Paywall).