Volusia County Council will no longer examine how their public libraries handle controversial material after concerns were raised the county was positioning itself to begin banning books.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

During a meeting in April, councilmen voted to review the library’s book selection and review policies, and change any policies they found ineffective.

The push was made by Councilman Don Dempsey, an attorney who represents DeLand, Orange City, Lake Helen and some of DeBary. Dempsey said he wanted to keep so-called propaganda out of the hands of the county’s children, without defining what that meant.

“It’s pushing agendas to children,” Dempsey said, to the agreement of some other council members. “I think it’s prudent to at least have a forum to hear complaints from citizens.”

READ: ‘Stupid Motorist Law’ could be coming to Central Florida. Here’s what it means

Dempsey led the reversal Tuesday night, explaining that he didn’t mean to create a fear about the county banning books and, since there were no concerns about how the public libraries currently handle material, the discussion wasn’t necessary.

Since 2021, two books have been taken off the children’s shelves at Volusia County libraries after complaints by the public, officials reported. They include An ABC of Equality by Chana G. Ewing and The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish by Lil Miss Hot Mess.

The complainant who kickstarted the removal for An ABC of Equality wrote that phrases such as “T is for Transgender” may confuse children.

READ: Volusia County to review public library policies with some eyeing book restrictions

The complaint form for Hips cited similar concerns.

“Children this young don’t need to be introduced to these lifestyle choices until much later in life,” the complainant wrote.

READ: HCA Healthcare plans new downtown Orlando ER

Books that received complaints but remain on the shelves include The Leak by Kate Reed Petty and Andrea Bell, The Book of Booty by Greg Adkins and Ryan Murphy, It All Began in Monte Carlo by Elizabeth Adler and Schmutz by Felicia Bekliner, county staff said.

Councilmen are still set to discuss removing the county’s library board and overseeing library operations themselves after one councilman, Jake Johansson, called the board an unnecessary layer of government.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.