March 28, 2024 7:34 AM
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What Books are Available at the Prescott Valley Public Library – Mayor Kell Palguta

Next week is Banned Books Week which helps to usher in the topic of what books are available at the Prescott Valley Library.

Recently the Council has been contacted by concerned parents about certain LGBQT/ Explicit Content books being available to children. Please know that adjustments to signage and displays have been made and moving forward I am confident that our citizens will love and enjoy everything that our library has to offer.

Here is what our citizens should know.

#1 Public Libraries will provide a wide range of genres for all ages.

#2 Library Staff in Prescott Valley will never parent a child or push a specific topic/genre onto a child.

#3 A parent must decide if their child is mature enough to have a library card and be allowed in the library on their own.

#4 If a parent wants to be made aware what book or other items their child is checking out from the library, the PVPL allows ANY parent to login to their account and in real time see what book their child has checked out. At that time a parent needs to be a parent and determine if the book is appropriate for their child.

If a parent is concerned that their child will take a book off the shelf that is deemed ” inappropriate” for their child and read it without checking the book out then the parent needs to accompany their child to the library to insure that does not happen.

#5 Book topics on display will have “equal time” on display. For example if LGBQT genre books are on display for a month then the next month may have Harry Potter on display for a month followed by perhaps everything outdoors. Etc..

#6 I may not agree with every topic book that we have at the Prescott Valley Library but I respect that we live in a free society that allows ALL books. Remember just because one person thinks something is offensive does not make it universally offensive to all.

#7 In the past 10 years not one parent has ever stormed into the library and was angered by what book their child was allowed to check out.

So at the end of the day please know that everyone cares about our children and will not be doing anything to hurt them. Also know that if you see things happening in other libraries in other states that are extreme just know that is not happening here in Prescott Valley.

I love our library and know how important a library is to a community. When I was elected Mayor I fought hard to make sure our library was open 7 days a week as opposed to being closed on Sundays. So if you have any ideas to make the library an even better place please reach out and work together with staff as a team.

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3 Responses

  1. So, Mr. Mayor, we don’t have the right to expect the National Library association to act as does the movie rating agency with protections all movie theaters are to act on? Certainly at some level the PV Library should be placing books with explicit sex in words and pictures in the adult section and blocking it’s access on line to non adults.
    We are also aware our public schools are introducing inappropriate explicit sexual materials into instructional products for students without the consent of the parents. Again, inappropriate materials must be secured from children-student access by our libraries and schools .

  2. Mayor, There is an opportunity for the Library to assist in educating parents of kids who use the Library. Signage at all door access that clearly describe issues that the parent may have concerns about be it check out of books or programs the Library offers to kids that parents might feel inappropriate for their kid(s).

    Computer access within the library to porn sites never should be supported.

    Parents generally trust a Library to be stewards of common sense when it comes to protecting their kids.

    The Library needs to assist parents with the best shot at parental rights.

    I remind you Mayor that we are on the cusp of a very slippery slope and one that has a major chance to harm children.

    1. It’s pretty simple, moms and dads just need to let their kids know what is appropriate for them in the library, and then review what they check out. Sheesh…

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