As one member is rebuked, York library board puts hold on some children’s book purchases

A debate whether the York County Library Board should stop purchasing children’s materials that may have sexual content was settled — but not without confusion.

Members voted 4-3 Wednesday in favor of placing a moratorium “indefinitely” on buying any books for minors deemed to have sexual content until it receives more clarity from the state.

But the vote came after members admonished Chairwoman Anne Witte.

Back on Oct. 11, she released a statement on the library’s website that said the board had placed the moratorium on purchasing any books or materials for minors, not just materials with perceived sexual content.

The board members did not clarify what they consider sexual content. A reporter approached members of the board for clarification and was told “no comment.”

Board members Tim Steele and Carol Herring said the statement about not purchasing any books was incorrect.

Herring went further, making a motion to retract the statement, rebuke and censure Witte and make her apologize for the statement. The board decided not to take those actions.

Steele said Witte exceeded her authority in posting the statement, which he said “caused unnecessary confusion and consternation among the library’s constituents.”

In the past the chairperson works with the director to craft a public statement without board approval, Witte said.

She added, the statement was made in “good faith” and she believed, according to the discussion recorded in the minutes, that the board voted to end buying any books for minors indefinitely.

“There was no ill intent, there was no one deliberately trying to mislead the public, hurt the people, or make anyone look bad,” she said.

Steele made a motion to prohibit board members from making statements without board consensus or until the minutes are approved.

Steele suggested the board members could discuss matters privately without mentioning their role to “avoid confusion.”

York County library board needs clarity

A condition the board needs clarity on was proposed by S.C. Sen. Josh Kimbrell, R-Spartanburg.

His proviso would require public libraries to certify — in order to receive funds — that they would not to offer any books or materials that appeal to the “prurient” interest of children under 13, board member said.

These books would only made available with explicit parental consent.

South Carolina law states “prurient” is “shameful or morbid interest in nudity, sex, or excretion and is reflective of an arousal of lewd and lascivious desires and thoughts.”

The York library board also wants to wait until the S.C. attorney general makes a ruling providing libraries with guidance.

The controversy surrounding books first came up in May 2023 when York County Councilman Tom Audette asked for a review of children’s books. Many library patrons wanted the books moved from the children’s section to the adult section.

The library board ultimately voted to keep the books in the children’s section. Shortly thereafter, the county council voted to reduce the library board from 10 members to 7 and removed a majority of the board.

What defines sexual content?

During a public forum at Wednesday’s meeting, one speaker suggested the library intentionally puts the books at eye level of children so that unsupervised kids will pick them up.

Another speaker said if the board removes books with sexual content she will not be able to use the library for homeschool classes because books on biology, human anatomy and physical health are “now off limits.”