Pornographic Books in Kids’ Section Spark Library Policy Vote in Surf City

Supporters of the measures say they prevent censorship while opponents cite sexually explicit coloring books available in children’s libraries.

Are an erect penis and how-to-guides for anal sex appropriate for coloring books in the children’s section of public libraries? Who gets to make that decision?

That’s the issue voters in Huntington Beach will be deciding when they return to the polls June 10th.

The Huntington Beach special election addressing sexually explicit books in children’s sections of public libraries and library management issues. Measure A asks voters to consider a community parent review board while Measure B creates restrictions around the city outsourcing management of the library.

A “YES” vote on Measure B would prohibit the city from accepting bids from outside contractors. Supporters say it protects “selling out” the libraries to corporate interests. Opponents, including the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem say that the initiative exempts libraries from fiscal oversight by elected leaders.

More controversial is Measure A, where a “YES” vote dismantles the current public review board that selects books for the teen and children’s sections of libraries and replaces it with a general set of community standards representing diverse viewpoints.

The Kitchen Table Activist chronicled sexually explicit children’s books available in some public libraries before asking voters if that is what they want Huntington Beach known form. “I would stick with ‘Surf City,” she says in closing.

Supporters of Measure A call the community review board censorship and MAGA while opponents of Measure A have placed signs reading PROTECT OUR KIDS FROM PORN, NO on A & B.” The ACLU has sued the city claiming that parental review violates the California Freedom to Read Act.

The current review board that Measure A would reject is a 21-person City Council approved board that holds regular public meeting to vet new acquisitions for the children and teen sections of the library.