You may be familiar with the ongoing saga of the Craighead County (Jonesboro) library placing sexually explicit materials in the children’s section. We believe this is a precursor to other Arkansas libraries pushing the same leftist agenda. Please send an email (even if you don’t live in Craighead County – it’s part of the state library system and is funded in part with state tax dollars). The deadline to email is Monday, 2/14. Note that a vote FOR the policy is a vote to REMOVE the explicit material from the children’s section.
To: board@libraryinjonesboro.org
Subject line: Sexually Graphic/Explicit Material Policy proposed by Board Member Mark Nichols
Body: Please adopt the Sexually Graphic/Explicit Material Policy as proposed by Board Member Mark Nichols
Feel free to add your thoughts, but make sure you include the above information. Below is the background info from Mark Nichols, which explains more. Do NOT copy / paste this, only what is above in bold.
“Many of you have been following the story with the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library. You have seen some of the sexually graphic books that are being provided to our youth. I have drafted a simple policy to move this material to the adult section. Here is a definition of the material that would be moved:
Sexually graphic/explicit material definition – Sexually graphic/explicit material includes detailed pictorial or text descriptions of explicit sexual acts including sexual intercourse, oral sex, or masturbation.
Exception to this policy – Material exclusively designed for sexual education shall be placed in a sex education section within the adult section of the library, or, in the alternative, within a young adult section within the adult section of the library.
Right now, there is NO area of the library (yes, not even the children’s section of the library) that is free of detailed pictorial or text descriptions of explicit sexual acts. That is a problem for parents who want their children to have a section where they can freely explore books without being exposed to harmful things or things they may not be ready for.
It is sad that there is a need to have this policy, but this is the situation we are currently in. You will hear the word censorship thrown around, but know that others do not have a First Amendment right to expose your child to sexually graphic material. Thus far I have received more feedback from people that want to keep this material in the youth sections. Is this a reflection of our community standards? The emails supporting this material have stated it is a vocal minority that has an issue with explicit material in the youth sections. Feedback from the community on this issue is critical. Ultimately, this is your library and your tax dollars being used to expose young children to graphic sexual material. If you think sexually graphic and explicit material should be relocated where parents can have a voice in what their kids are exposed to, let your voice be heard:
Board@libraryinjonesboro.org
I will be the one that decides when and what material I want my child to see. This is an adult conversation. The library needs to be a heaven that serves as a temporary reprieve from all the craziness that goes in in the world. When I think my child or grandchild is ready for “sex conversation”, I will decide what is appropriate to educate them. These materials do NOT belong in with the childrens books.
Done
These materials don’t belong in with the children’s books.
Thank you, Kaila. I have a letter ready but the email address was refused. I’ll try again. This situation must be remedied.
Sexually explicit materials should NOT be in the Children’s section of a library. These books should be kept in an area that requires parent/adult permission to be viewed by children.
This will provide a safer environment to the Children’s Section of the library. Parents choose what is appropriate for their children based on the child’s age, circumstances & maturity.
This makes me both angry and sad that this issue NEEDS to be addressed. I don’t care if you’re a liberal or conservative, this is simply evil!! Why would you want to compromise the innocence of children…PERIOD?! Any, so much as questionable, books should be moved to the adult porn section so that the sick adults can be disgusting without damaging our children’s innocence.