Romance book club, sex assault program banned for ‘sexual content’ at Oklahoma library
A library board’s decision to ban displays and programs “that focus on sexual content” at a Oklahoma library prompted the cancellation of a romance book club and Sexual Assault Awareness program.
The ban narrowly passed with a 3-2 vote during the Public Library of Enid and Garfield County board’s April meeting, according to Public Radio Tulsa.
“We’re not restricting anyone’s access. We’re not kicking books out,” Chairman Joseph Fletcher said during the meeting, according to the station. “We’re talking about not having displays or programs that focus on anyone’s viewpoint on sex and sexuality.”
The policy pushed by Fletcher requires that exhibits be “non-partisan, non-sectarian and self-explanatory,” according to the proposal obtained by CNN. “Exhibits shall not promote books or displays that make as their primary subject the study of sex, sexual activity, sexual perversion, sex-based classifications, sexual preferences, sexual identity, gender identity, or that are of a sexual nature.”
The Public Library of Enid and Garfield County said on Facebook that “the library respects the authority of the library board to set library policies.”
With that post, the public library shared that two April programs were canceled in compliance with the new policy — a Sexual Assault Awareness program and display, and the Shameless Book Club.
The adult book club, which was to meet once a month, was planning to gather April 21, according to the library events calendar. A library official told McClatchy News this was supposed to be the first meeting of the club, designed for contemporary romance readers.
“The policy was definitely a shock to the program,” Francesca Leuquire, leader of Shameless Book Club, told KFOR.
She said her group was still able to use a library meeting room, but they had to register as a public group rather than a library group.
“I know that there were a lot of people that were really excited about meeting, and they wanted to read the book and be a part of a community that was open and accepting,” Leuquire told KFOR. “The policy is hurting people that felt like they belonged to the library.”
The ban will also end the library’s annual LGBTQ+ Pride Month display in June, and interim director Theri Ray said the library is considering if Mother’s Day and Father’s Day displays are allowed as they focus on gender identity, according to the Enid News and Eagle.
“No public institution should inundate its visitors with issues of sex and sexuality when they walk in,” Fletcher said during the meeting, according to the newspaper. “Frankly, most people just don’t want to see it, and especially in a venue so heavily used by children.”
The library says no books are being removed from the library following the policy, according to KFOR.
In the statement shared to Facebook, the library says community members who would like their opinions heard on board policies should contact the library board, Enid City Council or the mayor.
Enid is about 100 miles north of Oklahoma City.
This story was originally published April 26, 2022 at 12:26 PM.