Top Librarian Leadership May Not Want ‘Pornographic’ Books Removed From School Libraries

The majority of governing board members for the American Association of School Librarians expressed that they believe the removal of alleged “pornographic images” from school libraries is akin to “book banning,” according to their social media posts.

The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) is a branch of the American Library Association that specifically serves primary and secondary schools. The AASL is at the forefront of a contentious debate among parents over whether books with pornographic images and sexual narratives belong in school libraries.

“Fun Home” is among the books considered “inappropriate” by some parents. The book shows images of oral sex and signs hanging in a bedroom that read “Lesbian Terrorist,” and “Keep Your God Off My Body.” (RELATED: Parents Against Pornographic Books Speak Out At Board Meeting Despite Threats)

A majority of the AASL’s Board of Directors posted online calling for all books to remain in school libraries. Several reposted claims that the removal of books is anti-LGBT and advocated for purchasing more books that tell stories about “underrepresented communities.”

Sylvia Knight Norton, the executive director of the AASL’s board, retweeted a post that read, “Is there anything more actual cancel culture than trying to get books banned from schools en masse because they make you feel uncomfortable or have a differing world view [sic]?”

Erika Long, the board’s secretary and treasurer, reposted a tweet that read, “I am so disgusted with this country.” She also retweeted a post that said “queer content” is not “pornographic.”

“Books with queer content aren’t inappropriate or pornographic. They’re books,” the tweet read. “Books belong in classrooms and school libraries. If a parent does not want his/her/their child to read a book, fine. But that parent has no right — no right — to say other kids cannot read those books.”

Long also retweeted that “School librarians do not purchase pornography for their collections.” (read more)