The American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona sent a letter Tuesday to the Chandler Library Board urging them not to give in to demands from parents to have certain children’s reading materials removed or relocated.
Library patrons have asked the board to remove or relocate two books, an alternative newspaper and a DVD they find offensive or inappropriate for younger children. Among the material in question is a children’s book on sexual education by Nicholas Allan titled “Where Willy Went,” George Carlin’s book “When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?,” Shelley Duvall’s “Faerie Tale Theatre” and the Phoenix New Times.
The board is reviewing the material and will make a decision Nov. 15 on whether to move any of it to the adult reading section of the library.
In the letter to the board, ACLU stated that by removing or relocating the materials, “the fundamental right to freedom of choice and to receive all ideas would be violated” and would establish a bad precedent. Alessandra Soler Meetze, executive director for the ACLU, said the organization wanted to let the board know the importance of freedom of expression.
“We cannot let politics or bias dictate what people can or cannot read in the libraries,” she said.
Chandler Public Library manager Brenda Brown said the letter will be read by the board members.
