LAND O’LAKES — Pasco County families soon could face more hoops to read certain books in their public libraries.
Responding to county commissioners’ concerns that children had too easy access to what they called “disturbing” material, the commission’s Library Advisory Committee on Tuesday began discussing potential changes to the rules for where books are placed on shelves and how they may be checked out.
Under the proposal presented by library director Sean McGarvey, parents would get the option of having their children under 16 years old receive a “child library card” that would restrict their permissions to only items categorized as juvenile or younger.
That grouping would not include young adult or adult materials. School-related books such as Sunshine State Readers and classics would be allowed.
Parents would be required to register their children for library use, at which time they could select between the child card and an unrestricted adult one. This tiered model is similar to the one used in Hillsborough County public libraries.
The proposal also would include a review of books in the children’s section of the library, with relocation of titles to adult and support areas “as needed.” This step would allow books to remain available, with added parental oversight, as opposed to removing them completely, as some other counties have done.
These steps come on the heels of a September policy amendment stating that children ages 8 years and younger must be accompanied by their parent, guardian or caregiver at all times. Children 9 and older must follow the library’s code of conduct or face a potential suspension of services.
“Libraries do not act in loco parentis‚” McGarvey said, quoting the policy. He added, “We strive to have parents with their children and to know what they’re reading.”
McGarvey stressed that the approach “is a proposal only,” and did not have many additional details. He expected it would take four or five months before any changes would take effect.
Knowing the concept would be discussed, a half dozen residents showed up to raise concerns. They opposed any effort to limit resources available in the library, which they said should represent diverse viewpoints from across the spectrum of ideas.
“A library is for the entire community, not just for those who agree with us,” retired librarian Tracy Suits said.
Parent Taylor Devine told the board that she has brought her son to the library for four years, and has discovered books that have expanded his world view. That included some of the materials that the library recently removed.
“Suppressing books will damage our community,” she said.
Devine said she was glad to have the chance to address the board, and planned to keep following the process. She said she also had questions about the children’s library card, saying it might prevent some youngsters from having access to age-appropriate books.
Library board members asked few questions. But a couple said they did not support censoring books, with one saying she did not want to see children run off from the adult section of the library if they’re there with their parents’ permission.
Discussions about the appropriateness of books for Florida children lately has played out primarily in public schools, where lawmakers have made it easier for parents and county residents to object to titles. The state has compiled a list of challenged and removed school books, and recently approved a multimillion-dollar purchase of a computer system to help residents find which ones have been addressed across the state.
The content debate has not been limited to schools, though.
In Pinellas County, commissioner Chris Latvala pressured the Clearwater public library to remove a Pride display that included 25 books related to LGBTQ+ themes from its children’s section in 2023. The Citrus County public library system faced a similar battle in 2022.
Pasco County commissioner Seth Weightman referred to the state list of challenged school materials as he called for greater controls in his local libraries. He said the subject came to his attention after a local parent complained about a children’s book in the library about a transgender youth called “Calvin.”
Such books might appear harmless, Weightman told his colleagues. But they can lead to adult conversations that parents might want to withhold from their children until they are older, he suggested.
The county conducted a book audit, using primarily LGBTQ+ terms, and temporarily removed more than 100 titles from the children’s section as a result. They included “And Tango Makes Three,” which publishers have sued to get returned to Florida school districts, “Beloved” by Toni Morrison and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky.
Commissioners pushed for the immediate permanent removal of all the books in question, but relented at the recommendation of staff and lawyers who advised them to follow the challenge process they have in place.
Those books remain unavailable pending further review. But no other titles have been pulled, McGarvey said.
Any policy changes the Library Advisory Board ultimately recommends would need to have commission approval.
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