SPANISH FORT — The Spanish Fort Library Board voted Monday to revisit policies following discussions about a controversial book that even a representative from Read Freely Alabama admitted is "tricky." Meanwhile, the Fairhope Public Library moved the same book from the teen section to the adult section.
The book in question is "Let's Talk About It: The Teen's Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human." The graphic novel details how to perform sex acts and contains illustrations of those acts. It explains how sex toys work and encourages readers to seek the internet to view pornography and find groups of people who have similar sexual interests.
The book was challenged in Fairhope and was moved from the teen section to the adult section.
"The book has been reviewed with the upmost [sic] care, as well as reading the book in its entirety," a letter from the library stated. "We also reviewed the title in various professional journals."
"After thoughtful discussion the library leadership team have [sic] made the decision to move the book to the Adult Nonfiction section," the letter continued.
In Spanish Fort, the book has not been properly challenged. However, the city removed the book for review last month.
Library director Shanavia Reed said the book was purchased in 2021 and has been checked out more than five times by adults only. She said it was never challenged, so per policy, it is not subject to removal. She asked the library board to respect the policy and her right to enforce it.
The library board consists of Spanish Fort council members. The chairman is Robert Curtis Smith, Jr.
Smith said he became concerned when he saw the book.
"I'll tell you, I was pretty shocked," Smith said. "The things I saw in the book I dare not put on the screen in front of the general public here. So, it was worthy of reconsideration of location, for sure."
City attorney David Connor explained that some policy changes had already been made to comply with the Alabama State Library System (APLS) rules.
Connor said particular words and topics were searched in the card catalog to ensure age-appropriate content was in the children's section of the library. After reviewing books, 36 were moved to the young adult section.
The young adult section is for ages 13 -17.
Connor said that when the library board approved policy changes in a previous meeting, it focused on the children's section and that policies should have been developed regarding the young adult section.
"When we were doing those policies originally, we were focusing more on the children's section and maybe we should have focused as much attention on the young adults section because the policy directives from the state do say 18 years and under are also to be protected from those types of materials," Connor said.
The board heard from concerned citizens on both sides of the issue.
Rebecca Watson, with Moms for Liberty, said she previously visited the library and was gestured out by the library director after asking about the book. She said the book is pornographic and can cause lifelong issues for children.
"If I were to stand on the corner and read this book and invite a bunch of teenagers to come and sit around while I educate them with this book, I can guarantee you it would be seconds before their parents would have their kids out of there and I would probably have the police called on me for being a predator," she said.
Elizabeth Williams, representing Read Freely Alabama — a group protesting the removal of sexually explicit children's books and LGBTQ+ material from public libraries — also addressed the board. She said the book should not be removed until it is formally challenged. She said the controversy is being "drummed up" by "outside extremist groups."
"Please don't ban a critically acclaimed book just because some people object to some of it," Williams pleaded with the board. "It teaches teens about consent, respect, safety. There's even a checklist for how to recognize if you're a victim of abuse or if you are a perpetrator of abuse."
1819 News asked Williams how a book teaching about butt plugs and online pornography could be appropriate for minors. Williams admitted it contains mature topics and said she understands why it has been challenged.
"I understand that there is some very mature content in there, and it's really for older teens, so a lot of libraries have decided that they want to put it in the adult section," Williams said.
"… I mean, I'm aware there's definitely advice in there I would not give to my child, but there's also plenty of really good advice in there, and I see folks are cherry-picking just like the most offensive parts," she continued. "I agree that there should be other sex ed options in the library. That one's definitely advanced."
Williams, who is from Fairhope, said she stands by the Fairhope Public Library's decision to move the book as long as the decision was made by trained library staff with degrees.
After reading the book cover to cover, Williams said she supports sex education in libraries.
Meanwhile, Angie Hayden and Amber Frey, founding members of Read Freely Alabama, took to social media to defend "Let's Talk About It: The Teen's Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human." Hayden said the book equips teens to deal with realities that they face daily. Frey said the book protects teens from grooming and predatory behavior. In the video, they asked why Moms for Liberty wants Alabama teens "easy to groom."
Watson, also from Fairhope, said the truth is quite the opposite. She pointed out that "Let's Talk About It: The Teen's Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human" encourages readers to search the internet for pornography, people and communities who share interests and have advice.
Williams and others who spoke in support of Read Freely Alabama said they believe the city is opening itself up to litigation by moving LGBTQ materials from the children's section.
The board went into executive session to discuss what they can and cannot do legally.
After listening to citizens and discussing current policies, the board voted to make policy revisions. Although the APLS has already approved the policies, the board stated some inconsistencies need to be addressed.
In the interim, challenges to library materials located in the children or young adult sections by Baldwin County residents will be referred to the chairman and librarian for review and removed during the review process. If necessary, the chairman and librarian will refer to the library board for further review. If not, the book will be returned to the shelves by the librarian and chairman.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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