Book (Ban)ter: Library board hears concerns regarding book

Members of the community voiced concerns this week regarding a non-fiction book and its place within the city’s library.

The Library of Graham board met Wednesday, Oct. 25 with the sole agenda item being a discussion regarding the removal or relocation of a book titled “We Need to Talk About Vaginas: An IMPORTANT Book About Vulvas, Periods, Puberty and Sex!”

The illustrated book shares information on sensitive topics such as anatomy, sex, periods, consent and more.

Multiple opinions were expressed by those in attendance, with the general consensus being that the material was unsuitable for young children who might access the book. While the recommended age range is 11 to 14, there was concern that due to the book’s proximity to the children’s section, it may be picked up by a younger child.

Parents at the meeting shared concerns about discussing sensitive topics with their children themselves rather than their child finding that information in another source, and most were for removal of the book entirely, rather than relocation.

While the most vocal in the audience were on the same page, the board was split into three camps – remove, retain and refrain.

Board Vice President Gabby Pitcock and Bryan Bivens fell into the first camp, with strong opposition to the book.

“At the least, this should be removed completely from the children's section and placed in another portion of the library where kids have, not only no access to it, but maybe put it to where parents have the final word on whether or not they can check that out. But my vote would be to remove it entirely because I think it's garbage,” Bivens said.

Pitcock spoke in public comments as a member of the community, mirroring others who spoke before her.

“My main concerns are the appropriateness level of this book, the things that it talks about. The way it is presented in the book … as, ‘everything's good, there's no limits’”, Pitcock said. “My four year old could access that book, and if he opened that up, that would be really bad. My six year old daughter could access that book … So the way it is presented is, it's mocking the traditional way, and it's mocking science.”

Stefani Shutz and Christy Chappell both stood against removal, but for different reasons.

Shutz stated that she bought the book shortly after it was brought to the board’s attention, and found it to be a good resource for teaching children about potentially awkward topics.

“I think we can come to some sort of agreement that there is a safe way to get this book out for people that need it, for kids that need it, for families that need something to help talk to their kids. It's an awkward situation. Every single topic in the book is awkward,” Shutz said. “If you are a male-only family and you only have a daughter or you’re a female-only family and you only have a son, there’s a lot in that book that can be gained…. Now, it has to be used with discretion. I agree with that. So I agree that we shouldn’t just remove it altogether.”

Chappell was concerned about the “bigger picture”, stating that library goers had a choice in whether or not they picked up the book.

“We just have to be aware that you have that choice. If you do not want to get that book, you don't have to. If you do not want your kid to read that book, they don't have to,” Chappell said. “... So at the end of the day, it's always a choice for your child to get that book or be around that book. But I just want everybody to realize that this is a bigger picture than just saying, take a book off the shelf.”

Board President Ryan Gordy, Christie Andrews and Carol Phaling all abstained from voting, with Andrews and Phaling wishing to look further into the book before making a decision.

“This is my personal opinion. It doesn't sound like a book that I would read to my children. But I am uncomfortable removing a book having never seen it, not because of what everybody said, because again, just basing it on whatever they said, I don't think that I would read this book to my children,” Andrews said. “But I feel uncomfortable removing a book that I've never laid eyes on as a precedent for the future.”

Interim Library Director DeAnna Bullock stated that if the book was relocated, there were a couple of options the board could consider.

“We could have a whole section that is called ‘health and wellness’ that is in a segregated area, away from the children's section, so that people who find this book helpful can use it. I mean, like parents,” Bullock said. “We could reshelve it into the regular adult nonfiction, which is also segregated away from all the children's books. There’s a pretty distinct section where, this part over here in the corner is all for children, and then there's a nonfiction section and then you go over into adult fiction, which has a lot of different topics. So those are two things that could be an option.”

The book survived removal, with two members voting for, two voting against and three abstaining. A motion was approved to temporarily relocate the book within the library, with a potential revote on removal once members fully read the material.

The book is currently checked out, and according to Bullock, has a six-week waiting list.