Parents share concerns about new Columbia County library rules
EVANS, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Columbia County parents say they want the library board to backtrack on its policy to make certain books accessible for kids of certain ages.
This is part of the ongoing back-and-forth between the library’s board and commission.
The commission voted to put certain books with violent or sexual content in these controlled areas.
This brings us to now, we met with one parent who shares the sentiment that she wants to library board to change the rules.
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Parents say it should be their call, not the board’s, on what their child reads and several other parents ed in front of a full audience begging the board to adjust the guidelines
Even if it’s only for a short time, the new rules stand now as:
- Ages 0-8 are picture books under 100 pages with no profanity, violence and sexual nature
- Ages 8-11- must have more words than pictures, mild profanity, light action and no sexual nature
- Ages 11-14 must be books geared towards middle grades with “uplifting context”— things like friendship or adventure, little to no profanity, no nudity, and only kissing for
- Teens 14-18 must be more complex reading with books on finding your voice, light profanity but minimal sexual content and partial nudity
- The adult level has no limitations.
Parents like Karin Parham are not on board.
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“I feel that they are creating an environment of censorship within our libraries, and I just don’t think that’s right,” Parham explains. “I think it’s primarily un-American. A number of sex education books have been moved. Basic, very basic preschool-level books, just talking about naming body parts, have now been moved to the adult section. And are we really protecting children if we are not giving children the appropriate names for their body parts, right? We know that actually keeps children from being able to , and it actually creates an environment where they are more likely to become victims.”
County leaders have said in the past that the books aren’t leaving the library; they’re just going to the sections they feel are more age-appropriate.
Parents say they’re going to keep showing up until changes are made.
The next library board meeting is September 9.
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