Library Committee Votes to Reshelve Book

The book Forever by Judy Blume was recommended for reshelving by the Library Citizens’ Advisory Committee, or LCAC, this week. 

Before the Committee discussed the new book, Community Development Director Jillian Morrissey provided a staff report. She spoke about the LCAC’s recommendation to remove the book Red Hood by Elana K. Arnold from the public libraries. She says that the book would remain in the Willow Public Library and would be reshelved in the adult section. The LCAC’s recommendation was based specifically on the concern for children reading the book. But it did not address keeping the book available for adults.

Committee Chair Pastor Chad Scott began the group’s discussion with a sermon about how the book Forever was pornographic. He says that simply reshelving it in the adult section, as was done with the previous books, amounts to pedophilia. 

Committee Member Nancy Bertels has the opposite impression of Blume’s book. She says it covers important topics about sexuality and that it was well-presented. Bertels says it’s a good book to open discussions between parents and children. Four other Committee members also agreed with Bertels and feel that the book should be reshelved. 

Though the group was split, the majority voted to recommend keeping the book in the young adult section.

The next LCAC meeting will be December 9th at 5pm.