Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Libraries And Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents press Mat‑Su Assembly on library books and parental concerns during public comment
Summary
Multiple residents used the June 17 public‑comment period to urge the assembly and library staff to remove or restrict books they consider obscene, to defend library staff and collections, and to warn against harassment of library employees.
During the public‑comment period of the June 17 meeting, numerous residents addressed library collections and expressed strong and conflicting views about materials available in borough libraries and school libraries.
Jackie GoForth, who said she had been speaking to the assembly since March 2023 about “obscenity in the library books,” said she had legal proof that several titles should be restricted from circulation to minors and called for action. “There is obscenity in the libraries, and it is being issued to children,” she said.
Several commenters amplified and contested her claims. Karen Lewis and Linda Spohn urged removal of particular titles from youth areas and called for stricter controls on what minors can check out. Lewis suggested marking adult‑section titles so that juvenile cards cannot be used to check them out.
Other speakers pushed back against removal and urged tolerance and free access. Helen Vincent called for resisting book bans and described libraries as “windows into different lives, cultures, and perspectives” that help readers learn about identity, injustice and mental health. A local resident, Bridal Carpenter, said he does not view the borough’s handling as a ban because patrons can obtain contested material elsewhere.
Several speakers also noted tensions between vocal library critics and library staff. Mary Robinson apologized publicly for a mistaken comment that had strained relations with library volunteers and staff and urged civility; other speakers said library employees had endured harassment and intimidation while serving multiple branch communities.
Why it matters: The public comments reflect an ongoing local debate over library collection content, access by minors, and how public servants and volunteers are treated. Library policies and advisory‑committee work were mentioned repeatedly; commenters on both sides urged the assembly to take account of community standards and the library’s role.
What’s next: These remarks were part of the public‑comment record ahead of any board or assembly action. Several speakers said advisory committees and school boards have been involved; no formal action or motion about library collections was taken at the meeting.
