Abilene resident urges removal of young-adult book, cites Fifth Circuit decision

Tammy Fogel, a resident of Abilene, told the Library Advisory Board during public comment that local officials have authority to remove certain books from library collections for children and urged the board to exercise that authority.

"The law now says that we have the right to do it," Fogel said, citing a May 2025 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. She told the board she would leave a summary of the decision for members and identified a title she described as inappropriate for the young-adult section: Before the Devil Breaks You.

Fogel read a passage from the book as an example, saying in part, "When Arthur touched between her legs with his warm, sure fingers, she was certain it was the most exquisite feeling she'd ever had in her life." She said the passage demonstrated the book contains adult material and urged the board to consider removal to "protect our children."

Board members did not take formal action during the meeting. The chair opened and closed the public comment period and indicated the board will continue routine agenda business. The board later approved pending book orders without public comment and noted the library director will oversee completion of those orders.

The comment referenced a federal appellate decision; the board did not discuss or cite that ruling during the meeting and did not take any legal action on the item. No member of the board responded to Fogel during her remarks.