1819 News conducted a survey among city council candidates on the Fairhope Public Library. The following are the answers as received by candidates.
Troy Vickers, candidate for City Council Place 1
The Fairhope Public Library's funding from the Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) has been paused due to concern over the placement of sexually explicit materials in the youth sections. As a council member, how would you address this issue?
Parents should have the right to determine what books their children should be exposed to. Much as the recent Mahoud v. Taylor decision by the SCOTUS ruled that parents could op out of subjects they did not want to be taught to their children, books of explicit nature (defined by Alabama Public Library Service (APLS)) should not be generally available to all children without parental consent. It is my opinion that those books that meet the definition of sexually explicit as defined by APLS should be relocated to a restricted section.
In addition, APLS should be lobbied to develop a statewide list of books in public libraries that have been determined to be sexually explicit for children. All books in this list should be consistently placed in the restricted sections of all Alabama Public Libraries.
The Fairhope Public Library board recently voted on a list of books regarding their placement in the juvenile sections of the library. Do you agree with the board's decisions?
It is apparent that the Fairhope Public Library Board did not factor in its decision, the definitions of sexually explicit as defined by the APLS, therefore their final decision is void and requires a re-examination of the books regardless of the “5-year review period”.
Do you believe the citizens of Fairhope are largely concerned about the placement of children and teen books in the Fairhope Public Library?
Yes. Citizens of Fairhope are concerned with maintaining the culture of Fairhope and not the rampant random introduction of sexually explicit material to children of all ages.
Joshua N. Gammon, candidate for City Council Place 2
The Fairhope Public Library's funding from the Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) has been paused due to concern over the placement of sexually explicit materials in the youth sections. As a council member, how would you address this issue?
It is unacceptable that we have lost funding due to APLS guidelines not being followed. We need to move all content deemed sexually explicit to sections of the library only available to adults. It does not serve the city well to have our library lose funding and be embarrassed statewide by the apparent refusal to move the books in question. As a member of city council, I would work with the library board to address these concerns and bring us back into compliance with state guidelines. If for some reason the library board refused to cooperate with the city council and citizen wishes, then the city council is able to revisit the composition of the library board through a city ordinance. Working with fellow council leaders, we would do whatever is required to ensure our libraries are welcome to all of our citizens!
The Fairhope Public Library board recently voted on a list of books regarding their placement in the juvenile sections of the library. Do you agree with the board's decisions?
I was encouraged that the Library Board recognized what has been said for nearly two years: there are books available to minors that shouldn't be (without parental consent). I'm frustrated that it took 2 years and a loss of state funding to recognize that certain books should not have been placed in sections for children. I continue to be frustrated that the Library Board chose to keep some books in the children's section despite the APLS telling them that it would continue to violate state code, and result in funding to be withheld for even longer. It is not complicated; books that feature sexually explicit material need to be moved to an adult section of the library. Parents who wish to allow their children to access these books can do so, while others can rest easy knowing their children will not stumble upon a book they do not feel appropriate for their family.
Do you believe the citizens of Fairhope are largely concerned about the placement of children and teen books in the Fairhope Public Library?
I believe that the citizens of Fairhope are ready to move on from this situation. The voters that I talk to are in nearly unanimous agreement that sexually explicit books need to be moved, APLS guidelines need to be followed, and we need to stop the negative publicity this is causing our city. After questions concerning our growth, the library situation is the next most frequent topic I get questions about. Like these voters, I believe this to be a commonsense issue that has dragged on for far too long.
Thank you!
Jimmy Conyers, incumbent, City Council Place 3
The Fairhope Public Library's funding from the Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) has been paused due to concern over the placement of sexually explicit materials in the youth sections. As a council member, how would you address this issue?
I believe the Fairhope Public Library has an adequate process in place to review challenged books. The Board just recently reviewed a number of books. Each book was read by two Board members selected at random, and then discussed during the next meeting. The result was the Board voting to move 5-6 books from the teen section to the adult section. This was in addition to books that had previously been relocated. As to the pause in funding, I would continue to be in favor of funding the Library at normal levels, but would expect the Library to fundraise for any shortfall created by a pause in funding. I support our librarians and our Board. I believe libraries should be politically neutral, and I do not believe the current Board members or librarians are promoting any political agenda. As stated in the past, as long as I believe the Board has a fair and reasonable process in place for reconsiderstions, I will support the Board's decisions whether they choose to relocate all challenged books, or just a portion.
The Fairhope Public Library board recently voted on a list of books regarding their placement in the juvenile sections of the library. Do you agree with the board's decisions?
I support the Board’s recent decision to relocate 5-6 books from the teen section to the adult section. Each book was read by two Board members and with each book relocated those reading were in joint agreement. In fact, there was only one book reviewed that had a split opinion. Can’t recall the title of the book, but the Board voted to keep it in the teen section. I would have preferred in the case of a split opinion, that the book be relocated, and I voiced that thought during the meeting.
Do you believe the citizens of Fairhope are largely concerned about the placement of children and teen books in the Fairhope Public Library?
I do believe there are citizens with very strong opinions on both sides of this issue. I also believe there are numerous other issues, both challenges and opportunities Fairhope must prepare to address. The City of Fairhope is much larger than any single issue, so working together to move Fairhope forward requires collaboration across a wide range of issues.
Tracy Gatewood, candidate for City Council Place 3
When I was in the 7th Grade (age 11 or 12) , I had the reading aptitude of a freshman in college . The scoring actually showed "grade 13" or first year of college. Consequently, I did not read books from the children's section, but pulled the titles from the adult area. In the 7th grade my favorite topics were Greek Mythology, Russian History; in particular the Romanovs. As a child, I was a voracious reader and spent many days per week in the city library.
One day in the stacks, I happened upon a book called The Betsy, by Harold Robbins. A curious 12 year old, I flipped through it and decided to check it out. Harold Robbins was a best selling author, who wrote 25 books that over time sold 750 million copies. His books were my first encounter with sexually explicit material. I ended up reading the Carpetbaggers and one or two more. I do not understand why the staff did not stop me from checking out these books.
Today, I can say with all conviction that no 12 year old child should read books with sexually explicit content. There is no reason to introduce provocative content on this level to children or youth. In 7th grade, I was playing dodge ball and riding my bike in the neighborhood. Harold Robbins books should not have been " a thing" occupying any of my gray matter.
For this reason, I believe that the Fairhope Library, should relocate the books with which the APLS has concerns - back into the Adult section. A parent may decide to check out an obscene or sexually explicit book on their child's behalf, that would be their right. It is my understanding that the APLS is simply asking to move the books in question - not to ban or to censure - but to simply "place the cookies on a higher shelf"making them harder to access. This is a common sense approach.
I have been asked about the library, and the growth issue, more than any other topic.
Jay Robinson, incumbent, City Council Place 4
The Fairhope Public Library's funding from the Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) has been paused due to concern over the placement of sexually explicit materials in the youth sections. As a council member, how would you address this issue?
As a parent of young children, I do not believe sexually explicit material should be accessible to minors. I understand the library has made genuine efforts to comply with Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) guidelines, including adopting a new review process through which many challenged books have already been relocated. However, there is still disagreement between both sides regarding the appropriate placement of certain titles. While I fully support our dedicated library staff and the many volunteers who have contributed to making the Fairhope Public Library an incredibly valuable resource for our community for 125 years, I also believe the library must operate in full compliance with all applicable state laws and regulations governing Alabama’s public libraries.
The Fairhope Public Library board recently voted on a list of books regarding their placement in the juvenile sections of the library. Do you agree with the board's decisions?
I absolutely support the library’s decision to relocate books that are deemed inappropriate for young readers. I understand that in at least one case, there was a split decision among board members regarding whether a specific book was suitable for the teen section. In situations like this, I believe we should consistently err on the side of caution and prioritize protecting young readers from material that may not be age-appropriate. Ultimately, I do not believe the Fairhope City Council or the Fairhope Public Library should determine what books are appropriate for our children. I believe that every parent should have the right to determine what material they are comfortable allowing their child to review.
Do you believe the citizens of Fairhope are largely concerned about the placement of children and teen books in the Fairhope Public Library?
I believe this is a very important issue for many of the citizens in our community. While I understand there are strong opinions on both sides of this issue, I am hopeful that we will be able to reach a resolution on this matter soon and be able to move forward in a positive way.
David Luc, candidate for City Council Place 4
The Fairhope Public Library's funding from the Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) has been paused due to concern over the placement of sexually explicit materials in the youth sections. As a council member, how would you address this issue?
I believe that the standards our library uses to review books should be more objective. I would support a city resolution that defines obscene/sexually explicit materials, and apply that resolution to the review of books at the library. Although the APLS has their standards, I believe this issue is best left in local control, with a focus on parental choice.
The Fairhope Public Library board recently voted on a list of books regarding their placement in the juvenile sections of the library. Do you agree with the board's decisions?
The Fairhope Public Library is a vital part of our community, and it should be a safe and respectful place for children and families. After review, I do believe there are books in the juvenile section that should be moved to the adult section of the library. I do not believe this is censorship or book burning, but a common sense approach to keeping our children safe. With that said, children are already allowed to check out books in the adult section, with parent’s permission.
Do you believe the citizens of Fairhope are largely concerned about the placement of children and teen books in the Fairhope Public Library?
I believe the placement of children and teen books is a topic concerning most citizens.
On one side, I have heard from parents that want to have a say in what’s accessible to their children, especially at a location funded with taxpayer dollars. Others are concerned about a broader culture war against children, and feel they have been cut out of conversations about what is appropriate for their children.
On the other side, people trust the library staff and board to make decisions free from political pressure. They see the moving of the books as censorship and government overreach.
However, most people I have spoken with prefer common sense solutions. They don’t want explicit content in youth areas, but they also don’t want to politicize the library or see it attacked. They tend to support solutions like book relocation or improved parental tools over bans or outside interference.
Andrea Faust Booth, candidate for City Council, Place 5
I feel confident in the Library Committee and staff. They are working hard to address the book issues and concerns in our community. I believe we will soon see a resolution. Our town values the library, and I know we can move forward together with respect and shared purpose.
Sincerely,
Andrea Faust Booth
Incumbents Jack Burrell and Corey Martin did not submit responses. Candidate George Ferniany did not respond. 1819 News was unable to reach candidate Howell Gibbens.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email [email protected].
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