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Residents sharply divided over library ballot measures; dozens urged votes for and against Measures A and B
Summary
Dozens of Huntington Beach residents used the public‑comment period to urge the council and neighbors to vote either for or against Measures A and B, which address library book review and potential outsourcing of library management.
Dozens of residents addressed the council during public comment about two June ballot measures affecting the Huntington Beach Public Library.
Barbara Richardson, identifying herself as a longtime resident, said ballots for Measures A and B would be mailed in May and the election is scheduled for June 10. Richardson described Measure A as asking whether the city should abolish a politically appointed library book‑review committee and allow librarians to choose children’s materials without committee oversight; she described Measure B as asking whether voters should be allowed to weigh in before the council could outsource library management to a for‑profit company. "Yes on A, yes on B," Richardson said.
Speakers were sharply divided. Several residents argued the measures would defend parental rights and shield children from what they described as sexually explicit material in youth library collections. Don McGee and multiple other commenters urged no on A and B, saying some materials are inappropriate for children and that elected officials should act to protect minors.
Other speakers urged voters to support the measures, arguing that librarians are trained professionals and that library censorship is a greater threat to free inquiry. Perry Clitherow, Chris Reaney and Emily S. characterized the contested books as educational and non‑pornographic and urged "yes" on both measures to protect the library's operations and prevent privatization.
Several commenters described concrete actions: Patricia Pappas said volunteers and activists reviewed library materials and collected examples; others said they had compiled lists and documentation. Speakers referenced legal tests and statutes during remarks (some referencing the Miller test and federal criminal statutes) while others warned against government overreach.
Speakers also raised related concerns about council actions toward nonprofits and volunteers (agenda item 18) and about proposed privatization. Multiple people asked the council to preserve library services, including veterans’ resources, youth programs and summer offerings; others said they feared those services would be harmed by outside management.
The council did not take action on Measures A or B at the meeting; several council members and staff later discussed process changes on unrelated agenda items. The measures remained on the ballot for the June election, with public outreach and debate ongoing.
