NewsOK.com | Libraries haven't pulled gay-themed kids' books

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Oklahoma's major libraries have not moved a single book from a children's section despite a state resolution urging library officials to restrict children's access to material with homosexual themes.

The controversy over gay-themed children's books began in March when state Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, asked the Metropolitan Library System commission to move such books to the adult section.

House members Monday passed the resolution by an 81-3 vote.

'It's trying to limit the right of what people can read,' said Linda Saferite, chief executive officer of the Tulsa City-County Library system. 'Serving an entire community is a balancing act.'

Although the Tulsa library has not moved any books out of the children's section, employees Thursday started moving gay-themed and other books into a new parenting unit in the children's section.

Besides the gay-themed books, books in the special section will deal with other issues, including the death of family members and bullying.

'A library just reflects what is happening in society,' she said.

About 80 people attended a May 5 hearing on the proposal in Oklahoma City during a meeting of the Metropolitan Library System's Public Services Committee. The committee took no action in the shelving policy.

The full Metropolitan Library Commission could take action when it meets at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the Downtown Library, 300 Park Ave.

Executive Director Donna Morris said all 10 copies of the book 'King & King' have been checked out since the controversy started.

'This is a local issue,' she said, referring to the statewide resolution.

Wayne Hanway, executive director of the Southeastern Public Library System based in McAlester, said he hasn't received any complaints about books in his 15 branches.

'We're down here and other people are up in Oklahoma City,' he said. 'Sometimes it filters down to us, other times it doesn't.'

Because the resolution isn't law, state funding for individual libraries will not be affected, said Bill Young, spokesman for the state Libraries Department.

'These decisions are up to the local library board,' he said.

In 10 years at the Ardmore Public Library, Director Daniel Gibbs said no one has ever filled out a protest form about a book there.

Gibbs said he thinks there are 'very few, if any,' gay-themed books in the children's section, but there are some in the young adult area.

The contents of most public libraries are determined by the needs of their communities, Gibbs said.

'It's a matter of reflecting the values of the community that you're a part of,' he said. 'Obviously what we have in our library is more conservative than what they might have in some other community.'

Wilita Larrison, director of the Public Library of Enid and Garfield County, said she doesn't think any children's books at her library fall into that category.

'We try to select things that are appropriate for our service area,' she said. 'We don't have any demand' for gay-themed books."