“Any instance of visual depiction of sexual nudity as described or any level of written description, even incidental, of sexual conduct as described” would necessitate moving a book, the library’s interpretation of the policy reads. The HEPL policy impacts more than 18,000 books and about 11,000 item records, according to the plan. Gone from the teen section are books on puberty, Captain America comics, and Marvel's Avengers graphic novels along with more typically controversial books such as Judy Blume's novel of teen love and sexuality "Forever." Moving “age-appropriate” books Library leaders said all employees were reviewing materials in addition to their regular duties. Indiana General Assembly 2023: House, Senate agree on measure to ban books from school librariesĪt times, board members, who are appointed by elected officials, suggested library staff were not in compliance with the policy or had refused to work fast enough to complete the revisions. Eric Holcomb's desk.ĭuring a heated meeting of the Hamilton East library board Thursday night in Noblesville, the board updated the policy to now include a list of profanities and a list of criminal acts that would deem a book inappropriate for young adult readers. School librarians deemed non-compliant could face felony charges. Other librarians may soon be conducting similar reviews.Earlier this week state lawmakers passed a bill that would classify books "harmful to minors" in public school libraries in the same category as obscene materials. The decision is gaining momentum - and attention - now due to the board’s definitions of what is “age appropriate” for the teen section as library staff seek more clarification about the policy’s reach. The policy, which the board passed in December, moves materials deemed not “age appropriate” to the system’s adult sections in the Noblesville and Fishers libraries. The review, which is currently underway, requires librarians and staff to examine thousands of books over the course of the next few months and is expected to cost the library system serving Fishers and Noblesville upwards of $300,000. Last year the board saw four seats turn over, including one now occupied by Micah Beckwith, a conservative pastor and former Republican candidate for a U.S. It’s a jarring scene for a library, where shelves typically offer seemingly endless reading materials from which to choose.Īppleton: An afternoon at the Noblesville library, where children's books are under siegeīut at the Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville, almost vacant shelves greet borrowers in the Teen Zone due to an extensive review process ordered by the library’s Board of Trustees. Manga, Japanese graphic novels, are missing. The shelves of the “Teen Zone,” the young adult section of the Hamilton East Public Library, are mostly empty. These items will remain in the high school graphic novel section. Update: A spokeswoman for the Hamilton East Public Library said Captain America comics and other Marvel superhero graphics novels from a list of reviewed works shared this month were removed in error. Watch Video: GOP-led House passes Parents Bill of Rights Act
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