FAFO: 'Let's Talk About It' survives Sami Graham's initial censorship attempt. Pressure campaign against McClure underway.
I'm not the kind of person who would stop someone at Costco, remove a succulent ribeye steak from their cart, and proclaim that they cannot buy it due to my belief that consuming red meat is not in their best dietary interest. Likewise, I wouldn't feel inclined to spread falsehoods about something over the Anchorage School District's livestream, namely that a teen picture book was available and accessible to young children when it wasn't.
But, for over two months, certain individuals with far-right associations have used such tactics and aggressively pushed to censor and ban the book 'Let's Talk About It,' all under the guise of protecting children. Their play is to impose their own belief system onto others by curbing the rights of Anchorage Public Library patrons.
At last month's Library Advisory Board meeting, Doug Weimann, an appointee of Mayor Bronson, called for the book to be referred to the municipal attorney for legal review. Weimann was alarmed by an image in the book which depicted a cartoon anus and scrotum and believes the book violates state and municipal criminal laws.
LAB's conservative members, including First Lady Deborah Bronson, ultimately voted to refer the book to the municipal attorney for legal review, but Helzer declined LAB's request because APL did not first follow its standard process for reviewing materials in the library's collection.
On March 21, 2023, Sami Graham, a failed candidate for Anchorage School Board who was Mayor Bronson's initial pick to run the Anchorage Public Library and later went on to serve as his chief of staff, filed a request for reconsideration against 'Let's Talk About It.' Graham called for the library to monitor who was borrowing the book, arguing that patrons under the age of sixteen should be prohibited from accessing the material.
Graham's request for reconsideration was first published on the APL website after Board member Doug Weimann requested it be included in the board packet.
A committee of three librarians was convened to consider Graham's censorship request and found that while not to everyone's taste, the book is appropriate for ages 14-18, depending on a teen's maturity.
"The library's Collection Management policy is applied equally to materials for children. The library believes that individuals may reject for themselves and their children and only their children materials that they find unsuitable. The responsibility for the reading, viewing, and listening choices of minors rests with their parents or legal guardians," wrote APL's Ad Hoc Review committee.
According to Mary Jo Torgeson, a former APL Director, the library's appeal process will involve input from the current APL Director, Virginia McClure, and the library board. Torgeson also pointed out that Mayor Bronson will soon have the opportunity to fill four vacant positions on the board.
"I would imagine that they will be pretty conservative. The library director will need our support. Attend board meetings, 3rd Wednesday of each month at 5:30, virtually or in person," wrote Torgeson on Facebook.
Torgeson may not be wrong about McClure needing support. In the hours since the APL published Graham's book challenge and the response from the Ad Hoc Review Committee, far-right agitators began a pressure campaign against Director McClure, sharing her contact information to social media groups and baselessly accusing her of breaking the law "by exposing underaged patrons to graphic pornography."
Worth noting is that April 24 is Right to Read Day, and a great way to celebrate is to check out and read a challenged book. And while you're at it, don't hesitate to express your appreciation for libraries and librarians too - they work hard to make sure everyone has access to books and knowledge.
