Residents raised concerns during a recent Salado Public Library District Board of Trustees meeting on the age-appropriateness of several books located in the children’s section.
One book in particular, “When Aiden Became a Brother,” was brought to the attention of the board after Stephen Sequeira, a former candidate for the library board, requested to have it removed from the library system. The book is about a confused young girl who is “transitioning” into a boy and provides detailed content on the process of “gender transitions.”
“Children can take things very literally, so we want to make sure they understand the difference between imaginative play and reality, as seen in this book that we’re discussing today that glorifies a mental illness,” said local resident Allison Dolin during public testimony.
“Especially on topics where cultural narratives and all forms of media are blurring the lines, a taxpayer-funded library should not be engaged in the continual blurring of those lines,” Dolin added.
After hearing public testimony on this specific title, much of which supported keeping the book, trustees voted 3-1 to retain it in the library system. A motion to relocate it to the adults’ section also failed by a 2-2 vote.
Conservative activist Bonnie Wallace, who travels the state raising awareness about inappropriate materials, read a graphically sexual portion from another book titled “Saving 6,” which is also located in the children’s section of the Salado library.
Wallace pointed out to the trustees that there is a clear note from the author that states the book is not intended for children.
According to the current library board’s policy, removing a book requires the completion of a reconsideration form detailing specific concerns. The form is then assessed by a review committee composed of members of the community.
If the decision reached by the review committee is not acceptable to the person who submitted the reconsideration request, he or she can appeal to the board of trustees. The board will then decide to uphold or overturn the committee’s decision.
If the board decides to keep the book, this decision cannot be rechallenged for three years.
No ads. No paywalls. No government grants. No corporate masters.
Just real news for real Texans.
Support Texas Scorecard to keep it that way!
