Mat-Su library advisory committee reviews two challenged books, director affirms placement of Judy Blume title

Matanuska-Susitna Borough — The Library Citizen Advisory Committee on Feb. 10 reviewed two challenged titles and discussed possible changes to how the borough’s libraries notify parents about material checked out by minors. Community Development Director Jillian Morrissey announced an administrative decision to keep Judy Blume’s Forever in the young-adult section of the Willow Library and said four committee members were in alignment with that decision.

Morrissey read a prepared memo to the committee and told members she had reviewed the committee’s prior scorecards and comments. "After reviewing all the comments on the dais scorecards notes, the MSB as administrative policy 'Forever' by Judy Blume, will remain in the young adult section of the Willow Library," Morrissey said. She added that "parents and guardians can view their children's checked out books at any time by logging into their account online or inquiring at the library," and that the Joint Alaska Library Network is updating its app to allow parents to tether their account to a child’s account.

Why it matters: The committee’s work helps the borough balance public access to library materials with concerns raised by residents about content and age-appropriateness. The director’s administrative ruling ends the local committee’s review for Forever but leaves open policy and process questions that speakers and some committee members raised at the meeting.

Public comment and committee discussion

Several borough residents told the committee they wanted challenged titles removed from public shelves. Linda Spohn, a resident, asked rhetorically, "Would you give this book to your 12 year old?" and said she was "here on behalf of the children and youth" of the Mat-Su Borough. Jackie GoForth (spelled in meeting records as Jackie Go forth) told the committee she had submitted multiple challenge forms beginning in 2023 and said, "I will stand by those book challenges" and argued some challenges had been treated as accepted in borough records.

Other public speakers defended library access and described benefits of certain books. Jeanne Trishinski, a long-time borough resident, said public libraries offer readers a choice and described a teenager who told a city council meeting that a book helped her recognize and escape abuse.

Committee reviews of two challenged titles

The committee went through its scorecards and discussed two challenged books listed for review: Damsel (title only; author not specified in the meeting record) and The Haters by Jesse Andrews. Members discussed circulation data from the staff report, literary and artistic merit, and whether passages constituted material unsuitable for persons 16 years of age under the committee’s suitability checklist.

On Damsel, several committee members described graphic or violent scenes they found troubling and said the book was inappropriate for the young-adult designation. Multiple members verbally stated they recommended removal or reshelving to the adult section; others said the book had some literary or creative elements but still was not suitable for 16-year-olds. Comments included descriptions such as the book being "distasteful," "gruesome," and containing "pornographic" language or scenes, and several members recorded "remove the book" or "reshelve to the adult section" on their scorecards.

On The Haters, members described frequent profanity and depictions they said glorified criminal or antisocial behavior. Committee members differed on whether some readers would find the book "laughable" or offensive; several argued the book lacked a constructive character arc and could encourage harmful behavior for impressionable readers. Multiple members verbally recommended removing the book from the library; at least one member favored leaving it where it is.

Process and next steps

The committee discussed procedural questions that arose repeatedly during public comment and committee remarks: whether parents receive timely notifications when a minor checks out materials, how the borough’s email confirmations affect quorum tracking, and how library placement (shelving) interacts with who can physically check out material. Morrissey said the Joint Alaska Library Network’s forthcoming app update will let parents tether accounts so they can review checkouts from a mobile app when the service launches. Staff also said there are 10 books currently in the initial review queue that await patron follow-up with librarians.

The committee voted to add one additional title to a future meeting agenda: the graphic adaptation of Anne Frank’s diary. Members agreed to request and read that edition; staff said Amazon shipping was the fastest option and estimated about 10 days for delivery, with a likely review at the March 10 meeting.

Administrative and procedural actions taken

- Chair and committee business: The committee approved the meeting agenda at the start of the session (motion seconded by Dorothy Dennison; no opposition was recorded). - Administrative decision: Morrissey announced the administrative decision to keep Judy Blume’s Forever in the Willow Library’s young-adult section and to respect parents’ ability to tether accounts and view minor checkouts. She told members four LCAC members were aligned with that decision. - Future review approved: The committee approved reviewing the graphic adaptation of Anne Frank’s diary and asked staff to order a copy for committee review.

What the meeting did not decide

No formal motion to remove either Damsel or The Haters from library collections was recorded during the meeting. Committee members recorded recommendations on their scorecards and voiced a range of suggested dispositions (keep in place, reshelve to adult section, or remove from the library), but an official system-level removal or reshelving requires follow-up steps beyond the LCAC review process described at this meeting.

Ending

The committee set its next meeting for March 10. Staff asked members to separate scorecards for collection and record-keeping and to reply to scheduling emails carefully so quorum confirmations are reliable. Morrissey and staff thanked members and public commenters and closed the meeting at 6:34 p.m.