Residents and library leaders debate book challenges as Assembly hears dozens of public comments
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Summary
More than a dozen residents, library volunteers and board members told the Assembly on Tuesday that borough libraries are important community resources while others urged stricter controls on some titles. The Assembly did not vote on library policy at the meeting but took public testimony and remarks from multiple communities.
Dozens of residents and library volunteers took the podium Tuesday to praise valley libraries’ programs and services and to urge the Assembly to preserve local libraries as community resources — even as several speakers asked for stricter review or removal of specific titles.
Library advocates from Willow, Wasilla, Talkeetna and Big Lake described summer-reading programs, author events, bike giveaways and community meeting space. Jeanie Troshinsky, president of the Wasilla Public Library board, said programs drew hundreds of participants and credited local partnerships and library staff for building community access to books and events.
Several speakers described 2024 school-district decisions that removed certain books from district shelves after a local process. Jackie Goforth, a longtime public commenter and former station manager who spoke about shelter areas in Anchorage, told the Assembly the borough’s review committee had found some books to meet the statutory Miller test for obscenity and said, "There are obscene books in the libraries. And if anybody tells you different, it's disingenuous at best."
Others pushed back. Helen Vincent, a Palmer resident, urged open access and discussion: "When we ban books, we aren't just removing stories. We're removing opportunities for growth," she said. Talkeetna residents and the Big Lake Advocates described robust summer programs and urged the Assembly to preserve libraries’ current operations and staff discretion for adult collections and programming.
No ordinance or policy change was adopted at the meeting. Several speakers asked the borough to adopt a clear, transparent challenge process so disputed books can be reviewed consistently. The Assembly agreed to referrals and discussions on library advisory procedures in future meetings, but did not take formal action during Tuesday's session.
