Public raises concerns about library materials as court approves interlocal agreements for local libraries

A member of the public spoke Dec. 3 to urge the Denton County Commissioners Court to withhold interlocal library funding if libraries contain books he considered inappropriate. The speaker, Charles Lee, said he did not want taxpayer funds used to purchase or make available sexually explicit material to children.

Commissioners and staff replied that the county’s interlocal funding agreements require public computer terminals to have parental controls. County staff (Melinda) told the court that county staff were reviewing library collections and would provide a list of material that had been identified; she referenced state legislative activity on related issues and offered to provide follow‑up information to the court. Commissioners suggested that, because the interlocal agreements are already executed and the county has budgeted the money, the court approve the funding and direct any concerns about specific materials to the library committee for review and potential remediation.

The court approved interlocal cooperation agreements and funding for nine libraries in the county by unanimous vote. Commissioners and staff noted an existing library committee that can review citizen concerns and a process for following up if materials are identified that violate the county’s parameters for funding.

The discussion included these points but the court did not specify in the public record a process to remove specific titles during this meeting; staff agreed to provide follow‑up information to the court and members of the public.