Parents urge Loomis library to relocate children’s titles; town staff removes ALA 'most challenged' promotion

A public commenter raised concerns about materials on display at the Loomis Library’s Banned Books Week promotion, saying certain children’s titles were shelved in ways that could be accessed by young children and asking the council to review library policy and shelving practices.

Mindy Chadwick, who identified herself as a member of the Luminess Union School Board, told the council she and other parents reviewed books in the children’s section and found titles she said were inappropriate. She cited a specific title and described passages she said were unsuitable for that section. "This should not be in a children's section," Chadwick said and asked the town to "look at your policy" and move books to more appropriate sections so parents can be involved.

Town staff responded that the town had been made aware of the promotion of the American Library Association’s "most challenged books" publication and had elected to remove that particular promotional material and not highlight Loomis Library books that appear on the ALA list. Staff emphasized the library’s collection-development policy and the objective of serving patrons while maintaining a welcoming environment. "We're just trying to refrain from putting out information that may make some people sensitive," a staff member said.

Council members discussed the issue during the meeting and indicated the matter would be reviewed at staff level; no policy changes or formal actions were adopted during the session.

What’s next: staff said they would consider sensitivity in promotional materials and review current practices; the council did not adopt any new library rules at the meeting.