Amarillo council declines to remove contested library books; asks staff, advisory board to tighten age-safety policies

The Amarillo City Council on May (date not specified) declined to overturn a library advisory board decision to retain three contested titles in the public collection and directed library staff and the Library Advisory Board to revise written policies to clarify age-appropriateness, parental controls and staff procedures.

Council members said they would not vote to remove the books at this meeting and instead asked staff to return with clearer, written rules that would make library decisions less subjective and give parents more control over what children can access. The mayor said the council favored putting policy changes in writing, increasing advisory-board capacity and returning to council after draft policy revisions are prepared.

Why it matters: The disagreement drew large turnout and sustained public comment — both supporters and opponents said the library’s role in the community and the protection of children were at stake. The council’s decision preserves the advisory board’s ruling while launching a policy review intended to reduce future appeals to…