Petal alderman tells library board he wants certain books banned. Here's why

A Petal alderman wants the Library of Hattiesburg, Petal and Forrest County to create a new policy that would keep certain books out of the hands of children younger than 12.

Ward 3 Alderman Blake Nobles said he didn't want to single out any books in particular, but believed the library board should implement a policy that would keep books of a certain type out of the library.

"I am requesting that we change the policy specifically and strictly in Petal library that books concerning gender, transgenderism and sexuality in general not to be provided to people of the age of roughly about 12," Nobles told the board at its meeting Monday at the Hattiesburg library.

"I ask that because I believe that is the best representation of the values and beliefs of our city in particular," he said. "I am not just a patron but a representative of Ward 3, currently one-sixth of the total of the Petal Board of Aldermen."

He said the books do not reflect the "vast majority" of the people of Petal. He said parents typically trust certain sources of information to make decisions for their children, and said the library as a trusted source should act on behalf of the parents.

Nobles said the books could be harmful, if children pick up a book that addresses gender and sexuality and the parent is unaware of the content. He believes the library should make it easier for parents to choose books by not allowing children access to them.

Board member Paul Rocconi asked Nobles if he thought the library should take over the responsibility of parenting the children, rather than letting the parents decide.

Nobles said that was not his intent but rather that the books be excluded so the parents would not be caught unaware.

Board member Kay Clay, former superintendent of Forrest County schools, said she knows a lot about age appropriateness in books for children, and that restrictions for some books for children younger than 8 are recommended, but a 12-year-old should be able to access some books about gender identity and sexuality.

She asked Nobles if he would be satisfied with that sort of restriction or even a separate section for children's books rather than removing the books from the library, to which he responded, "No, I would not."

Nobles reminded the board that the library operates as a partnership with the city, and that he is able to nominate future board members. In addition, he and other aldermen could vote to withhold funding from the library if the people of Petal so desire.

"The vast majority of Petal would not be happy that their support is being given to these books reaching these children," Nobles said. "My constituents would not support the library."

Nobles said the Board of Aldermen has discussed the issue in executive session, but has not had a public discussion pertaining to the library's book selection. When asked, he said he did not poll all Petalites to get their opinion on the matter.

Board member Jamie Steele told Nobles that the library operates on behalf of the cities of Hattiesburg and Petal as well as Forrest County, so a policy change at one library would have to apply to both libraries.

Board member Claude Leaman held up a copy of "Tiger's Honor" and asked Nobles if he would ban that book, because it has some nonbinary characters. Nobles said that he did not want to single out any one book and reiterated his concern was more about policy than individual books.

The library has a three-stage process in deciding challenges to their book choices, with the first step presenting the matter to the assistant librarian and a committee. If unsuccessful, the next step is to take the matter to the director and finally to the board to appeal a decision that the patron is not happy with.

Nobles' presentation Monday was the third step in the process.

Two residents spoke after Nobles to say they did not support removal of the offending books.

Elliott Fackler, an educator from Hattiesburg, said he previously spoke on a challenged book.

"We all have different backgrounds, beliefs and values but while most of us can decide to leave a book on a shelf if it does not appeal to us, what about children?" Fackler said. "Children are curious and impressionable. The idea that young children are stumbling upon objectionable materials in the library is bogus."

Fackler said that children under the age of 12 are not allowed in the library without an adult and children younger than 14 may not have their own library card without parental or guardian consent.

"I have one really cool trick to keep your kid safe: Parent your children. Come with them to the library and help them pick out their books. Monitor the websites that they visit. Be someone they can come to without fear or reservation when they find questionable information," Fackler said.

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Library board president Dee Tatum said the board will not make an immediate decision, but will talk about Nobles' concerns before voting on the matter. Libraries throughout the state have faced similar issues with varying results. In 2022, Ridgeland Mayor Gene McGee threatened to withhold about $110,000 in funding from the Madison County Library System because it carried books with LGBTQ themes and authors.

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This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Petal alderman wants books on gender, sexuality removed from library