Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Library Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Trustees decline parental request to restrict graphic novel; book remains available
Summary
After a parent challenge, the board voted down a motion to require parental permission for the graphic novel Sunnyside Up and then voted to leave the book available on library shelves as currently catalogued; the final vote to retain the book was 4–3.
The board considered a parent complaint about the graphic novel Sunnyside Up and whether it should be removed from general circulation or moved to a parental‑permission category.
Trustees debated the book's themes — which the complainant described as including substance abuse and other mature family issues — and whether the book's reading‑level designation (recommended for grades three to five by cataloging metadata) meant it was developmentally appropriate for general shelving. Several trustees said the book can offer comfort to students who have experienced similar family situations; at least one trustee said removing or restricting the title could prevent vulnerable students from finding help.
A motion to restrict the book to parental permission failed 4–3. A follow‑up motion to leave the book available on shelves as currently cataloged carried 4–3. Administration noted that parents retain the right to keep their own children from checking out specific titles under district policy, and staff said the book does not contain material that violates state library guidance or the district’s selection criteria.
The minutes show trustees asked that the administration continue to encourage parents with concerns to pursue resolution first at the school level and that the board will document the parent complaint in accordance with policy.
