OPINION: New Reconsiderations 12.9.2024
I realized that I hadn’t heard anything about a Reconsideration Request that I had submitted in September. I also had a gut feeling that others in the community had submitted Reconsiderations in the past few months as well, so on Monday 12/9/2024, I did an Open Records Request for Reconsiderations submitted from 9/1/2024 to 12/9/2024. That request came back today with 9 Reconsiderations in total. The PDF file with the total reconsiderations is attached with the addresses/phone numbers/library card numbers redacted. I would like everyone to see with their own eyes what is written on these forms. It is a public record and you have a right to see it.
#1: I submitted this one myself on 9/23/2024 for The Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder. When I first heard about the passed guidelines, I saw that this YA book was challenged and it looked like a fun read. It did not disappoint but I was confused because during the meeting I attended in September, the Advisory Board told Priscilla Bence that this book would move due to the guidelines. However, this book shouldn’t have moved according to the guidelines as the only curse words were one instance of “butt” and one instance of “bastard.” Is that too much swearing for the Teen section? There’s no sex in the book - only 5 kisses. The violence is on level with a PG level (I guess???) as it’s more of an Indiana Jones kind of adventure novel. The only reason to move this book is because one of the main characters is a lesbian.
#2: This Reconsideration was submitted on 11/17/2024 by Priscilla Bence. She learned about it on the internet. It is for Teo’s Tutu by Maryann Jacob Miller. It is currently in the Children's Easy section and she would like it moved to Adult Fiction. I have this book and it doesn’t mention sex or sexuality or gender at all. It’s just simply about a boy who enjoys dancing and prefers to wear a tutu. I guess that’s a problem for Mrs. Bence. You can read her comments in the attached PDF.
#3: Another one by Priscilla Bence was submitted on 11/18/2024 titled And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell. She learned about this book when a Mom challenged it in the past. She wants it changed from Children’s Easy to Middle Ground.
#4: Oh, and another one submitted by Priscilla Bence on 11/24/2024 for Drama by Raina Telgemeier. She learned about this book from Katie Allen who is soon to be sworn in to the Columbia County School Board representing District 4. I thought her lawsuit against the district would have been resolved before she took office but she’s apparently appealing. I guess she’ll have to excuse herself from part of the executive sessions, but I digress. Mrs. Bence would like this book moved from Juvenile Fiction to Adult Fiction.
#5: That Priscilla Bence has yet another Reconsideration that she submitted on 11/25/2024 for the book The Other Boy. She found this title while browsing the Middle Ground section of the Columbia County Library. She would like this title moved from Middle Ground to Adult Fiction.
#6: Priscilla Bence, once again submitted another Reconsideration on 12/2/2024 for Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky. She also found this one while browsing Middle Ground. She would like this one moved from Middle Ground to Adult Fiction.
#7: On 12/5/2024 Elizabeth Popiak submitted a Reconsideration for Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe. She was made aware of this book during a discussion about “obscene” graphic novels. All of the YA & Adult graphic novels are currently shelved together in its own section downstairs. Popiak stated that she wanted this book moved from YA/Adult Non-Fiction to YA/Adult Non-Fiction. I’m not sure what she wants to do with this book.
#8: On 12/5/2024 Elizabeth Popiak also submitted a Reconsideration for Flamer by Mike Curato. She indicated that she also became aware of this book during a discussion about graphic novels. This book is also currently categorized in the same section as Gender Queer, which is all of the YA & Adult graphic novels. However, Popiak stated that she wanted it moved from YA Fiction to Adult Fiction.
#9 On 12/8/2024 Priscilla Bence submitted another Reconsideration for Ryan and Avery by David Levithan. She stated that she became aware of this title through an internet search. She would like this book moved from YA Fiction to Adult Fiction.
Those are all the books that have been submitted for Reconsideration. No new forms will be accepted until all of the books in the library are shifted. Anybody else see a theme of these Reconsiderations? All of them, except Teo’s Tutu, is LGBTQ+ but Mrs. Bence is trying to even make Teo’s Tutu an issue. It’s interesting that the advisory board and the commissioners want to sit here and pretend that this was all about obscenity and profanity. It was NEVER about that and you all know it!