Fresno County supervisors vote for plan to create committee to review children's books in libraries

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Fresno County Board of Supervisors has voted in favor of legislation that would establish a new review process for children's books in county libraries.

On Tuesday, supervisors voted 3 to 2 to amend the "Parents Matter Act."

The act proposed by Supervisor Steve Brandau would create a panel of parents and guardians that would review all current and future children's books to be placed in the county's libraries.

The measure would also move certain titles deemed "age-inappropriate" out of the children's section.

"There are no books leaving our county library, this is not a ban. It's simply where does the book gets displayed," said Brandau.

People stood up to voice support for the measure and against it.

"No adult or government entity should provide access to sexually explicit material to children without express consent or else it is truly a form of grooming when it is done behind a parent's back or in secret," said one person in support of the act.

"You shouldn't decide, I shouldn't decide, it should be by the experts. Who are these experts? People who have six years of formal education, they have masters degrees, they're called librarians," added another person who is against it.

While dozens showed up to have their voices heard, Chairman Sal Quintero limited the public comment section to just 20 minutes, giving two minutes per person.

People who didn't get a chance to speak expressed their outrage over the decision.

In an attempt to relieve some of the attention in the room, Quintero asked for a show of hands for those in support and against the measure.

About a dozen raised their hands in support and two dozen opposed.

When it came to a vote, Quintero and Brian Pachecho were the only two to oppose the measure.

"As many speakers have said my rules and values are different than yours and everyone else on here and it's parents who should have the final say," explained Pacheco.

Nathan Magsig and Buddy Mendes voted in favor of the measure given certain amendments were made, including reducing the number of appointed members from fifteen to eleven and publically posting a list of the books removed from the children's section.

County Librarian Sally Gomez said the library already screens books for age appropriateness and has a system in place for people to raise concerns about material in the library.

"Either online or on paper, we have the forms in the branches, they can fill out that document, it's a request for reconsideration and they can voice their concerns, and that gets submitted to our staff in our collection development department," said Fresno County librarian Sally Gomez.

It will create a committee of parents and guardians to review all current and future children's books placed in county libraries.

After a period of public comment, supervisors agreed the committee would be comprised of eleven appointed representatives, two from each district and one selected by the county administrative officer.

A list of books removed from the children's section will also be made public.

The act now returns to the board for one final vote with the amendments.

The library system says whatever way the board decides, they will implement the measure.

The ACLU of Northern California has called the measure invasive and unconstitutional and is looking into its next steps.

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