WI's West Bend Library Board Says ‘No' to Relocating YA Books

A list of sexually explicit and gay-themed titles will remain on the YA shelves of Wisconsin’s West Bend Community Library following the board’s unanimous vote to reject efforts by local parents to restrict access to those books.

Jim and Ginny Maziarka.

The nine-member board listened for close to three hours as about 50 people from both sides of the debate—including Deborah Caldwell-Stone, acting director of the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom—discussed the appropriateness of the library providing such books to the public.

“One local who spoke said I should be tarred and feathered and that J. K. Rowling should be shot,” says Tyree, who was the timekeeper at the gathering. “Others quoted scripture from the bible.”

The Maziarkas, who described their experience at the meeting as being on trial, are now using their blog WISSUP=Wisconsin Speaks Up to label the library an “unsafe zone” for kids. Using excerpts from books such as Stephan Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Esther Drill’s Deal With It! A Whole New Approach to Your Body, Brain and Life as a gURL (both S & S), Ginny Maziarka warns her community that they’re no longer “a taxpaying supporter and/or patron of a family-safe library.” The Maziarkas could not be reached for comment.

Although the board’s decision finally resolves the issue about the fate of the 82 titles on the Maziarkas list of objectionable books, the issue is far from being resolved. “It's not that I'm pessimistic by nature; rather, it's my experience and understanding that groups similar to West Bend Parents for Safe Libraries don't readily accept no as an answer,” says Tyree, referring to the local citizens group founded by the Maziarkas to help support their cause.

Since the Maziarkas filed their original complaint in February, the West Bend library issue has turned political, with the city council in April failing to reappoint four of nine board members, who they say were taking too long to resolve the issue. However, others like the ALA and other free speech groups saw it as a preemptive measure, since the four were likely to vote against moving the YA books to the adult section.

Now Tyree anticipates that the Maziarkas and their supporters will wait to see who Mayor Kristine Deiss will recommend as their replacements. “If they find a kindred spirit to be placed on the board, the issue will rise again,” Tyree says.