Library Board votes to keep controversial books, We the People of West Tennessee responds to vote

The Jackson-Madison County Library Board of Directors voted unanimously Wednesday, May 24 to move one book and keep another that was challenged by members of We the People of West Tennessee. 

Being You, by Megan Madison, and Looking for Alaska, by John Green were part of seven books officially challenged. Members of the group originally asked the library to reconsider dozens of books, but were asked to fill out the official challenge forms. 

Being You is a children’s board book about gender identity. It was originally located in the juvenile nonfiction section due to content, as board books are normally kept in the children’s section. 

The complaint for the book stated it would be “the cause of more confusion of our children” and said, “There are only two genders. Chromosomes tell the story. Doctors do not determine the sex alone!”

According to Librarian Dinah Harris, the book was bought through a subscription service with a book provider. It is located in a handful of libraries across the state, and it has been checked out eight times since 2021. She said four of those checkouts looked to be someone trying to keep it from other people. 

As said in an internal email, the person who made the complaint did not have a library card, which was brought up during the discussion.

“Are we really considering the complaint of someone who doesn't even have a library card? So they're just in our library just trolling for things to complain about. And they don't even have a library card. They're not supporting the library. They're only coming in there to complain about things in the library,” Kortney Simmons, a board member, said during the meeting.

The JMCL board voted to move Being You to an adult section of the library. Board members also discussed creating a special section for educational materials parents can check out to read to their children.

“When you have a book that's being challenged, and you don't get rid of it, that pleases one group of people. But then when you move it out of the area where children can’t just stumble upon it, that should please the other group of people. It's still available in the catalog either way, and the only thing that changes is the location of the book in the catalog,” Harris said during the meeting. 

Looking for Alaska will remain in the library in the same location. The complaint about the award-winning novel was written because it had “too much graphic sex.” The person asked the book be moved to an adult section and could be replaced with Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

Currently, the book is located in the Young Adult section at JMCL. 

As the book was passed around, some board members read parts of the controversial sections. 

“The bottom line is that we all have different values and different things that we're following, and each person has to decide that for themselves,” Harris said during the meeting. 

Statement from We the People of West Tennessee

While We the People of West Tennessee declined to comment on the original story by The Jackson Post, they agreed to write a statement about challenging local library books. 

The following statement was sent by Lori McManus, Londa Rohlfing, and Many Bates: 

“We want to thank The Jackson Post for bringing attention to this matter so that citizens can be informed regarding TN Law and how it affects the materials in our public library system and their display. Jackson is fortunate to have two wonderful locations in our own community which support activities, learning, and most importantly a love of reading for all ages. We are blessed to live in a State that stands strong on moral and ethical protections for children. Freedom of Speech is a cornerstone of expression guaranteed in our Constitution, which we strongly support. We encourage all citizens to do their own research regarding TN State Law and what is found in Jackson Madison County Library. Below you will find the applicable law and links to some previews of just a few of the books which break those laws. Rep. Chris Todd referred us to these laws back in Feb. of 2023 when we first began our investigation into materials at the library.”

The Post reached out to Rep. Chris Todd (R-Jackson), who says he spoke with members of We the People of West Tennessee about the laws. He also said he is encouraged to see people interested in holding the government accountable to keep children safe. 

The statement also directed readers to their website, wethepeopleofwesttn.com/tn-obscenity-laws. 

The statement continued to reference Tennessee Code Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 9, which relates to obscenity and the display of the materials that are for sale or rent. 

“There is even more applicable TN Law, but the above should make our point clear. We call on our public library to follow the codes of our State, placing all inappropriate material away from our children. Parents and families, this is a call to action. Protect and supervise your children as they are browsing in the library, just as any online activity should be supervised. Be aware that the complaint form at the library does not offer options for simply moving the books to adhere to TN law. We welcome your joining us to require that our laws be followed. Freedom of Speech is not at question here-book removal should not even be on the form, it is adherence to the laws of our State that we are requesting. 

“Please look at the books listed by [Julia] for yourself to determine if you could read these out loud with your child (It’s Perfectly Normal, The Bluest Eye, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Poet X, Thirteen Reasons Why, Being You, and Looking for Alaska).”

The statement, again, referred people to their website, and summaries of the books. The heading on the webpage says, “For you to understand our concerns, find below 'summaries' of just a few of the books to which we vehemently object as easily accessible to minors in our JMCL. Our goal is not to ban these books, but that they be clearly labeled as 'sexually explicit' and moved to a location where minors (under age 18) cannot access them, adhering to TN Law.”

“Again, we are grateful to The Jackson Post for publishing this column and giving us a chance to make this STATEMENT,” the statement ended. 

At this time, no other books at the Jackson-Madison County Library have been challenged. 

Julia Ewoldt, julia@jacksonpost.news