HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — Libraries are typically places where voices are kept low, but on a recent City Council meeting in Huntington Beach focused on libraries, the voices grew louder and louder.
The Council’s main chamber, along with two overflow rooms, were packed with people, many of whom were there to speak out against any privatization of the Huntington Beach Public Library system. The seven-member Council was voting on whether or not to put the question of privatization to a public vote in November — the conservative majority Council did not vote to put the question to the public on the ballot. It’s the latest in a number of legislative actions that have been focused on Huntington Beach’s Public Library system.
Briana Lee, 18, attended the City Council meeting and gave public comment. She believes the Council is attempting to exert control over the library system.
“By refusing to let the citizens of Huntington Beach vote on this measure, you are limiting our political participation and destroying a central pillar of our American Democracy,” she said at the podium when speaking to the Council.
“I think it’s important that the library remains a place for intellectual curiosity,” Lee said, speaking outside the Council chambers.
Late last year, the Council introduced and approved a resolution to form a parental advisory board that would determine which books were appropriate in the library. The board members are appointed by the Council members. At the time, many saw it as an overstep by the Council. Many of the books that have caused concern for some members of the Council are focused on sexuality or contain content that is sexual in nature.
Lee sees the approach to restrict access to certain books in the library as misguided.
“There are a lot of ideas in the books that they are trying to relocate that aren’t harmful and are just trying to help people understand their bodies or sexuality. I don’t think they are political [the topics],” Lee said.
But the mayor of Huntington Beach, Gracey Van Der Mark, vehemently disagrees.
“As adults, it’s our responsibility to do what we can to protect children, and I find it troubling that adults think this is OK. If you think it’s OK for your family, fine, you can check these books out for your family. It shouldn’t be in the children’s section,” the mayor said.
The mayor also disagrees with the description of the book restrictions as a book ban.
“It’s a reclassification for these books, cataloging, because they are sexually inappropriate for children,” Van Der Mark said.
Carol Daus is a board member with Friends of the Huntington Beach Public Library. She said the Council’s actions have gone too far. Some of the books that have been moved, because of the new guidelines and restrictions, include picture books and books on puberty and development.
“In the case of a family they know what’s best for their children, I don’t think anyone wants other people with different religious beliefs, political ideologies, telling them what their family should have access to in a public library,” Daus said.
For Lee, libraries and the books held within them are an essential part of life and learning in Huntington Beach, and she doesn’t want that to change.
“It’s important to be exposed to different ideas because that can help us grow as individuals and help us become more empathetic towards each other,” Lee said.