(Lander, WY) – The Fremont County Library System Board of Trustees approved a draft revision to its materials acquisition policy this month, including a section on “protecting children from harmful, sexually explicit material in areas designated for minors.”
Protecting children
The draft policy revision says the FCLS “takes seriously its obligation to not include sex acts or sexually graphic materials within the children’s and young adult sections that would be harmful to minors or impede their development.”
Drawing on language from the Children’s Internet Protection Act, the policy proposal defines material that is “harmful to minors” as “written words (and) any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that a) taken as a whole and with respect to minors appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex or excretion, b) depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals, and c) taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors.”
The draft also notes that the policy is not intended to prohibit the purchase of standard science books, the texts of major world religions, classic works of literature, or books depicting classic works of art.
“The library director shall be responsible to ensure that purchasing and weeding of collection materials comply with the above policy,” the draft states. “The library director shall report to the library board regularly, but no less than quarterly, regarding the library’s compliance with this policy.”
Materials acquisition
Before the section on protecting children, the draft revision to the FCLS materials acquisition policy states that “the selection of any material for the library’s collection does not constitute an endorsement of its contents.”
“The Library recognizes that many materials are controversial and that any given item may offend some patrons,” the draft revision states. “Decisions are not made on the basis of any anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely on the merits of the work in relation to the building of the collection and to serving the interest of patrons. The library strives to provide a balanced view on controversial subjects and sources materials portraying all sides of an issue.”
FCLS Director Anita Marple said the draft revision has been sent to the Fremont County Attorney’s Office for legal review.
After the board receives and acts on any recommendations from that legal review, Marple said the proposed policy revision will go out for a 45-day public comment period.
(The draft has already been reviewed by the Fremont County Attorney’s Office and will now be subject to a 45-day public comment period, according to the discussion at this month’s meeting.)
Statement of Principles
During a meeting last month, the FCLS Board also approved a new draft Statement of Principles for the organization.
According to minutes from the meeting, the draft Statement of Principles lists the following Guiding Principles:
1. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
2. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
3. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views. Parents have the right to control or limit library access for minors in their custody.
4. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.
5. All people, regardless of origin, age, background, or views, possess a right to privacy and confidentiality in their library use. Libraries should advocate for, educate about, and protect people’s privacy, safeguarding all library use data, including personal identifiable information.
For more information, contact the FCLS.