GRAND FORKS, N.D. (KFGO) – The Grand Forks School Board has reviewed a complaint about six books in school libraries, but the board agreed with a committee recommendation that the books remain, though not all decisions were unanimous.
Earlier this year, North Dakota Republican lawmakers targeted sexual content in public libraries with a new law, removing or relocating “explicit sexual material” from the libraries’ children’s collections.
“The role of a school library is to allow students to make choices according to their own interests, experiences, and family values,” board vice president Dave Berger said. “Removing these books would be antithetical to individual freedom, democracy, and a good education.”
Library board member Dr. Eric Lunn said that if somebody in the public is concerned about their children and pornography, they should spend more time discussing smartphones and other electronic media and less about reading.
The Grand Forks County Commission recently received another complaint about two books. The State’s Attorney referred the complaint to police, and it was determined that no action would be taken.
Gov. Doug Burgum has said the new law standardizes the process for local public libraries to review material when requested by parents, library users, or other members of the public – a process already in place and working at nearly all public libraries across the state.
Burgum vetoed a broader bill allowing misdemeanor charges against librarians.
