Assembly withdraws library-materials ordinance after hours of public comment; LCAC duties to shift to library board
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Summary
Assemblymember Bowles pulled ordinance 26-017 from tonight’s agenda after a lengthy exchange; residents filled the public-comment period with sharply divided views on library material, and the Assembly later approved ending the Library Citizens Advisory Committee and moving challenge responsibilities to the borough’s library advisory board (ordinance 26-008).
Assemblymember Michael Bowles removed ordinance 26-017 from the agenda and said education and community engagement were preferable to new regulation. The decision set off an extended public-comment period in which dozens of residents — parents, librarians, and advocates — testified for and against tighter controls on library materials.
Opponents of new limits framed the withdrawal as a win for intellectual freedom and argued certified policies already exist for challenges. “This or any proposal to censor books and materials at libraries represents a misguided attempt to legislate morality,” Angie Fraker told the Assembly, urging the borough to trust librarians and existing challenge processes.
Supporters of more controls cited specific titles they said were inappropriate for children and described unsuccessful prior challenges. Jackie Go forth said she had repeatedly challenged a specific title and wants better public visibility for contested material, telling the Assembly the review committee had previously found some titles obscene.
After public comment the Assembly considered Ordinance 26-008 to discontinue the Library Citizens Advisory Committee (LCAC) and consolidate challenge-review duties into the borough library advisory board. Supporters said the consolidation reduces duplication; opponents worried about whether a single advisory board and staff would adequately reflect community views. Manager Brown and legal counsel clarified that the community development director retains final authority under borough policy and state law; the ordinance passed.
What this means: Ordinance 26-017 was pulled tonight; the borough will proceed with the LCAC sunset and route challenge processes through the library advisory board. The community asked for transparency on how advisory members are selected and raised concerns about staff and board protections from harassment during contentious challenges.
Next steps: The withdrawn ordinance remains possible to reintroduce; the Assembly scheduled additional hearings for other library-related items and staff said it will publish amended materials and the LCAC sunset documentation.