League City Council passes resolution to restrict public library content to minors
LEAGUE CITY, Texas (KTRK) -- It was a crowded and emotional city council meeting Tuesday in League City as members took up a resolution to restrict access of certain types of books from its public library to minors.
The resolution that passed in a late Tuesday night vote of 4-3 calls for the end of using tax payer dollars for purchasing, displaying, or stocking of books for minors that feature the following topics:
- Pedophilia and/or incest
- Rape and bondage
- Books that discuss or depict any type of sex, nudity, sexual preference, or related topics where the intended audience is below the age of 10
SEE RELATED STORY: Experts say Texas' excessive ban on books is 'harmful to students'
"Rape and bondage, that is illegal. I don't see why the government should have that in their own buildings, why they should support something that they deem is illegal, that goes against their own values," Jacob Bedar, a member of public libraries, said.
A large majority of the 63 speakers argued against the resolution, citing government over-reach. They included educators, a NASA engineer, a sexual assault survivor, military members, librarians, counselors, and a foster parent.
"This is crazy and ridiculous, and I can't believe in this day and age I'm having to come before you guys and say, 'Please don't ban books,'" Saultczy Bleu, a longtime League City resident, said.
The proposal was revised two different times in the five days before Tuesday's night meeting and also includes the creation of a Community Standards Review Committee. That committee will take up content concerns from parents.
SEE ALSO: Texas lawmaker files bill to require ratings on school books: 'This isn't setting (books) on fire'
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