In recent years, the conversation about what kinds of books should be available in public libraries has become a heated debate. On one side, advocates for free access to all content argue that banning books stifles freedom of expression and intellectual growth. On the other, concerned parents, educators, and community leaders worry about the impact that inappropriate content may have on children and teens. This article takes the position that banning books with harmful or inappropriate content from children’s and teen sections in public libraries is not only justifiable but necessary to uphold community values and protect young minds.
Protecting Community Standards
Public libraries are often considered community hubs, places where people of all ages can learn, explore, and grow intellectually. However, they are also reflections of the community’s values. As Bruce Boyd, a Nobleville, Indiana, resident and self-described Christian missionary, explained:
“In a public library, in a Christian nation, I think that, you know, this is my opinion. The standard’s been set, and if we’re going to be a Christian nation, we need to abide by the Christian standard.”
While not everyone in the United States identifies as Christian, Boyd’s perspective highlights an important point: public institutions like libraries must take into account the moral and cultural standards of the communities they serve. In many towns and cities, the overwhelming majority of residents hold traditional values that prioritize the protection of children from exposure to mature and harmful themes. Providing unrestricted access to books that contain explicit sex, drug use, alcohol consumption, repeated profanity, or graphic violence undermines these community values.
The decision made by the Nobleville public library board in late 2022 to ban books with such content from children’s and teen sections demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding young readers. This action ensures that library spaces remain conducive to healthy development and moral integrity, aligning with what many parents want for their children.
Safeguarding Children’s Development
Books play a critical role in shaping children’s and teens’ understanding of the world. Exposure to age-inappropriate material can have lasting effects on their mental and emotional well-being. Books that normalize substance abuse, glorify violence, or include sexually explicit material can distort young readers’ perceptions of reality and compromise their ability to make sound moral judgments.
Psychologists and educators widely agree that children are impressionable, especially during their formative years. Providing them with unfiltered access to material that glamorizes harmful behavior sends a confusing message about what is acceptable in society. By setting boundaries on what content is accessible to children, libraries can act as gatekeepers that promote literature fostering healthy growth, positive role models, and constructive life lessons.
Bruce Boyd’s concern about harmful influences is echoed by many parents who feel increasingly powerless to shield their children from inappropriate content in today’s digital and media-saturated world. Libraries have a responsibility to help shoulder this burden by creating safe spaces for learning and discovery. As Boyd remarked, “The standard’s been set,” and it’s essential that we enforce those standards in environments where young people are particularly vulnerable.
Libraries Are Not Censors but Curators
Critics of banning books often argue that removing materials from library shelves amounts to censorship and restricts intellectual freedom. However, libraries have always functioned as curators rather than mere repositories of all written material. Every library must make decisions about what to include in its limited space, balancing the needs and interests of its patrons with community standards.
The decision to exclude certain books from children’s and teen sections does not mean these books are being removed entirely. Adults who wish to access these materials are typically free to do so, ensuring that intellectual freedom remains intact. The issue at hand is about age-appropriate content, not outright suppression of ideas.
When libraries choose to stock books about addiction, violence, or explicit sexual themes, they must consider whether these books belong in spaces designed for impressionable audiences. By moving such books to adult sections or removing them altogether, libraries reaffirm their role as protectors of public trust and stewards of community values.
Respecting Parental Authority
Another critical aspect of this debate is the role of parents in guiding their children’s intellectual development. Parents have the right to determine what their children are exposed to, especially regarding sensitive topics like sex, drugs, and violence. Unfortunately, when libraries include inappropriate materials in children’s sections, they undermine this parental authority.
For example, a parent might assume that the books their child checks out from the library are suitable for their age group. If that assumption proves false, it can lead to conflict, mistrust, and potential harm to the child. By adhering to stricter guidelines about what is shelved in children’s and teen sections, libraries can reinforce parental authority rather than erode it.
A Balanced Approach
It’s important to note that banning inappropriate books doesn’t mean eliminating diverse perspectives or limiting access to important ideas. Instead, it’s about ensuring that such material is kept out of the reach of children and teens who may not yet have the maturity to process it. A balanced solution would be to move books containing sexually explicit content, drug and alcohol use, repeated profanity, or violence to a clearly designated mature section of the library.
This approach ensures that adults who wish to access these materials can still do so while preventing young, impressionable readers from stumbling across inappropriate content. By placing restrictions on where these books are shelved, libraries can preserve intellectual freedom for adults without compromising their responsibility to protect children.
Creating a mature section strikes the right balance. It acknowledges that some books may hold value for specific audiences while recognizing that these works are not suitable for children and teens. Parents can feel more confident knowing their children won’t encounter harmful or confusing material while browsing the shelves of the children’s or teen sections.
This practical measure reflects the very same discernment demonstrated by the Nobleville library board. Their decision sets a positive example for other communities, offering a reasonable compromise that respects freedom for adults while safeguarding young readers from exposure to content that could negatively influence their development.
Not an Attack on Freedom
Banning inappropriate books from children’s and teen sections in libraries is not an attack on freedom of expression; it is a necessary measure to uphold community standards, protect children’s development, and respect parental authority. As Bruce Boyd articulated, “The standard’s been set,” and it is up to us to enforce it in public institutions like libraries. By taking a thoughtful and measured approach to curating their collections, such as moving mature material to designated sections, libraries can ensure they remain safe, enriching spaces for all members of the community.