Huntington Beach will soon have an appointed community review board that could reject new children’s books that are deemed inappropriate, a move critics are calling a book-banning system.
The City Council majority decided to create a 21-member community review board that has oversight of children’s books in city libraries. Its powers include rejecting, by a majority vote, new children’s books the library staff wish to obtain that “do not meet the city’s community standards of acceptance” and reviewing books already in circulation if they should be moved from the children’s section.
Councilmember Gracey Van Der Mark is behind the push. The three other conservative councilmembers joined her to pass the contested proposal Tuesday night in a 4-3 vote.
Each councilmember will get three appointments to the board.
Scores of vocal residents denounced Van Der Mark’s resolution, calling it a book ban.
“If you don’t procure something, what are you doing? You’re banning it,” said Jeff Lebow during public comment.
The Council Chambers at City Hall were filled with people and many had to sit in an overflow room. The public comment period went over five hours, with residents bringing signs that called the proposal government overreach.
The resolution mandates that no city library allow children direct access to books or other materials that contain “any content of sexual nature.” It will require a parent or guardian’s consent to access those materials, whether they are intended for children or adults. Books with sexual content will be moved out of the children’s section.
Mayor Tony Strickland argued against the other councilmbers and residents who see the resolution as a ban. “We are not removing any books or restricting any books. It’s been said before; It’s not a ban.”
The councilmembers who voted for it continually said during the meeting that they don’t see the move as a book ban. Councilmember Natalie Moser, who voted…
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