As group voices concerns, Tyler Public Library remains committed to serving diverse population

This blog originally appeared at Tyler Morning Telegraph.

Newcomer Randell Gillaspy, a concerned father who has never attended before, found himself in Taylor Auditorium, the venue for board meetings held every fourth Wednesday at the Tyler Public Library. His presence reflects an attempt to comprehend the ongoing community discussions.

“I’ve heard the counter from both sides, and I just kind of want to see what’s going on in person,” Gillaspy said. “The opposition seems to think there’s inappropriate material in children’s books. The flip side of that is, I guess, freedom of speech.”

Amidst national headlines about book challenges, certain Tyler residents allege the presence of explicit reading material accessible to minors in the library’s adult section. This has sparked a divisive debate, with some advocating for an ongoing battle on the matter, while others contend that it’s a non-issue.

“This is not a one-sided library. They’re going to provide books for the Christians, and they’re also going to provide books for everybody else,” said Erin Bailey, a local LGBTQ+ youth leader.

The library is structured into five distinct sections. The juvenile section houses books recommended for junior high readers and younger, while the young adult section caters to readers aged 14 and 15. The adult section features books recommended for readers aged 16 and older. For parenting topics, there is a dedicated parenting section in the library, and books addressing issues that require adult explanation, such as death and family dynamics for children, are available in the family section.

Arrangements within the City of Tyler library are guided by recommendations from professional organizations such as Publishers Weekly and Kirkus. Any discrepancies in age appropriateness are addressed by staff members who read the book to determine the suitable age range.

The library policy explicitly states that providing access to material does not constitute an endorsement of it.

“People are sort of saying, ‘I can’t believe that you would support this book,’” City Manager Edward Broussard said. “The book in our collection is not an endorsement of the book or material. The book being in the library indicates that this idea is present for people to read and share, agree with or disagree with, but it is not an endorsement by the City.”

In the young adult section, designed for ages 14 and above, certain books may contain scenes or material that could be interpreted as sexual, as per Broussard. However, it’s emphasized that there is no sexually explicit material in the children’s section. The library underscores the importance of context, explaining that while there might be mature content, the narrative in these instances is intended for a younger demographic with the aim of imparting valuable lessons.

“When I ran for mayor, my slogan was ‘For All of Tyler,’ and when I think of the library, it’s the same slogan,” Mayor Don Warren said. “It’s for all of Tyler, and you see the community — it’s a diverse community. The library is the community.”

Books challenged

The Tyler Public Library officially reported a total of 189,942 books in print and a comprehensive physical collection of 228,693 circulating items, encompassing audio, video, and various other physical materials. This data is submitted to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, which plays a crucial role in granting and maintaining the library’s accredited status.

In 2023, the library has received a total of 11 requests to reconsider the placement of certain books within its collection.

Regarding the 11 requests made in 2023, opinions diverge among library users. Some advocate for the removal or relocation of certain books, while others argue for their retention in their original sections. This statement was provided by the City of Tyler.

“Children, students, minors, everyone has a right to receive information,” City Attorney Deborah Pullman said. “The reason a book is kept in a library location is because that book provides something other than the prurient interest. There might be sexual content, but some other literary, art, social, political reason that the content is there.”

Pullman stated that the Supreme Court has delineated what qualifies as unprotected First Amendment speech, establishing the guidelines reflected in the Tyler Public Library policy.

The Supreme Court ruled in Board of Education v. Pico that government officials may not remove books from school library shelves “simply because they dislike the idea contained in those books and seek by their removal to ‘prescribe’ what shall be orthodox.”

“I was raped. I talked to other rape survivors to ensure I’m not alone. We share stories, we read books, and that’s how we recover. That’s how we heal. Don’t take that away from these kids,” Bailey said.

Broussard clarified that the sexual content present in young adult books is not intended to arouse. When addressing disturbing or confronting elements, such as a rape scene, the material aims to convey the gravity of the situation, devoid of any intention of salaciousness or titillation.

“The books that they put forward are not meant to intrigue or be salacious in that way. There may be sexual content within some of the books. However, it’s definitely taken out of context,” City Librarian Ashley Taylor said.

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