Your library should be a space where all are welcome, so let's clear up misconceptions

Sandra Hedlund Tunnell
·4 min read
These are three of the books that have caused a ruckus at the Ashland Public Library by some who believe they're not appropriate for children. The titles are located in the juvenile nonfiction section. They were made available at an Aug. 11, 2022 public meeting that drew a crowd of about 200, many in support of the library's decision to keep the books accessible. TOM E. PUSKAR/ASHLAND TIMES-GAZETTE

On behalf of the Ashland Public Library Board of Trustees, I would like to thank all the members of our community who love our library, and who have taken a special interest in the books we have on our shelves, and how we decide what materials to get and where to put them once we have them.

Our collections policy is outlined on our website — ashland.lib.oh.us/ — and states that we choose books based on specific needs, current trends, and popular content.

The books are shelved according to a cataloging system that uses information from the book publishers, other libraries’ shelving history, and knowledge of our patrons’ library usage gathered by our library staff.

Viewpoint:Library books affirm Ashland's diversity and cause no harm

Another view: It's not censorship to keep graphic books away from young children

It is not an exact science, as demonstrated by the discussion regarding "Wonderful Women of the World," a young adult nonfiction book, which we had originally placed in our juvenile section, but was relocated by our staff to the adult section, since the Ashland Public Library does not have a young adult nonfiction section.

The overall goal of our library is to have a diverse collection of materials for all patrons; to have something for everyone.

I would also like to take this opportunity to clarify a few misconceptions:

  • Of the six books that have been discussed in recent library board meetings — books that we have been asked to remove from the library or to be moved to a different section of the library — only three are currently in the library’s juvenile section. These books are "Puberty is Gross, but Also Really Awesome," "Own Your Period," and "Making a Baby."

  • The book "Wonderful Women of the World" is now located in the adult section, and "It’s Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, Gender, and Sexual Health" has always been in the adult section. "This is Our Rainbow" is not in our library.

  • The three books that have raised concern are not in a “5-year-old section.” This section does not exist in our library. These books are in the juvenile nonfiction section, which is not near the board books or play area.

  • These books are not child pornography. Child pornography is defined under Federal law as “any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor." These books are health books, and show illustrations of body parts, explain what happens to your body as you go through puberty, and discuss sex. They also discuss topics like infertility and surrogacy, all in an age-appropriate manner.

  • These books are not being forced on library patrons. You are, in fact, welcome to walk past these books and explore the rest of our amazing library. If these books make you uncomfortable or you wish that your child not access them, we urge you to ask our incredible library staff for other recommendations; we have another 90,000 items on our shelves, and 1.8 million items available through our library consortium.

Library board strongly opposes censorship, strives to inform & inspire

The library board stands firmly in opposition to censorship.

As trustees of this public library, we are committed to providing resources for every person in our community, even people who don’t believe the same things we do.

We believe that moving books intended for a juvenile audience to the adult section is a form of censorship, as it makes the books difficult to access for their intended audience.

While we have deliberated over the requests to remove or relocate the titles in question, our staff and board believe them to be shelved in their appropriate location. We believe it is our responsibility to create a space where all are welcome, all people and all library materials, where we can connect people with ideas, information, and inspiration.

The Board of Trustees of the Ashland Public Library thanks everyone who has sent in letters, asked us questions, supported our library staff, and has generally been interested in our — in your — library.

We believe the library is a vital public space, where people from different backgrounds and with different ideas and needs can come together freely and safely, and we are committed to maintaining this edifice of democracy.

Sandra Hedlund Tunnell has been president of the Ashland Public Library Board of Trustees since 2012.

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ashland Public Library's Tunnell addresses book controversary