Deckerville Library blocks attempted book ban
DECKERVILLE - The Deckerville Library board voted unanimously to keep "Gender Queer: A Memoir" in its collection after requests were made to remove the book from shelves.
The board made its vote Tuesday evening at its monthly meeting at the Deckerville Community Center, located at 3451 Main St. The decision comes as a response to 10 requests from community members to remove the book. After reviewing library policies, the board determined it was in best interest to deny the requests.
The board concluded removing the book would violate the First Amendment rights of its patrons by removing access to information and censoring information that would otherwise be available. The board also determined that the First Amendment right to receive information can't be denied to people because others may dislike the content of the book.
"The board voted not to ban the book because the general feeling is it's a violation of the First Amendment," Board President David West said.
Additionally, the board said "Gender Queer: A Memoir" is kept in the adult graphic novel section of the library. Removing the book would violate a parent's right to choose whether or not to select the book for their child.
Library Director Jennifer Kisbany said in an email that she is grateful to the community, the board, and the library's attorney. She said the library welcomes feedback from the community and wishes that it had more.
"I am glad that we were able to address this issue quickly," Kisbany said. "This would not have been possible without the cooperation of all board members and our attorney responding rapidly to our requests."
She said she is looking forward to refocusing her energy on serving the community.
The previous requests to remove the book claimed the book was harmful to children and sexually explicit. Additionally, some community members claimed the book was located in the library's children's section. However, Kisbany said "Gender Queer: A Memoir" has been located in the adult graphic novel section since it entered the library's collection in 2020.
Public comment was provided after the vote took place and six people spoke. Half the people commenting disagreed with the decision while the other agreed.
During her comment, Sharon Bujak said since the library can't hold every book in existence, the board has to decide what enters the collection. She then asked the board if books about bestiality or pro-anorexia could enter the collection. She said the content of "Gender Queer: A Memoir" was evil.
"God doesn't make mistakes," she said. "So why are we being told to go along with lies? Evil is never satisfied, it only can progress."
However, Marty Mattin said during his comment that it is the parents' responsibility to make sure their children are not reading material they disagree with, not the library's. He said if the book was removed, it would allow 10 people to decide what the entire Deckerville community can or cannot read.
"There is no problem with a parent deciding that a book is not right for their child, however, there is a problem with a parent deciding that no child should read a certain book," he said.
Mattin also said that no one is forcing anyone to read the book.
Contact McKenna Golat at mgolat@gannett.com or (810) 292-0122.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Deckerville Library board votes to keep "Gender Queer a memoir"
