Following the recent adoption of a new policy by Montgomery County officials, a citizen committee now holds the power to review and potentially remove library materials based on public requests.
The policy introduces a revised process for reviewing library materials. When a community member requests reconsideration of a book, it will be temporarily moved to the 18-and-older section until the Citizens Review Committee evaluates its content. The committee, comprised of individuals chosen by the court, has the authority to relocate the book, retain it in its current section, or remove it from circulation with a unanimous vote.
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County Judge’s Statement
County Judge Mark J. Keough sent the following statement to KPRC 2 clearing up questions on the new committee.
“The policy adopted yesterday is a revision from previous policy that was already in place. This is not a new committee and the current committee remains the same. The changes to the policy that were adopted essentially lay out that material classified as children, young adult or parenting shall be reviewed by the citizen’s committee upon receipt of a reconsideration request from a resident and library user of the county. Adult material will be reviewed by library staff and not the citizen’s committee when a reconsideration request is filed as well. No pressing issue has driven this policy change other than when reconsiderations have come up in the past, the citizens committee were advisory in nature to the library staff and now will be the decision-makers for the material they have authority over. This is because the review committee made up by citizens appointed by commissioners court was to have the authority of the court to make these decisions, and are now by the new policy empowered to make those decisions.”
Keough emphasized multiple times that books were not being properly categorized during court. Three members voted in favor of implementing the policy while Commissioner Charlie Riley voted against it. Riley raised concerns about the eligibility to request a review of library materials and the absence of input from the county’s attorney.
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Montgomery County Libraries’ Response
Montgomery County Libraries Public Relations & Programs Director Anne Neidinger sent KPRC 2 the following statement.
“Our court approved materials selection policy is always used when classifying all material in our collection for proper placement. Selection aids recommended in our policy include authoritative reviews and recommendations of professional journals and publishers. All material is selected and classified based on criteria such as literary and artistic worth, vocabulary suitable to the age of readers, and the age of the protagonist.”
Petition by Texas Freedom to Read Project
The Texas Tribune reported on additional challenges to the new policy. A petition circulated by the anti-censorship group Texas Freedom to Read Project asks Montgomery County officials to reject the proposal. That petition had over 1,300 signatures and also asks the court to keep librarians on the committee.
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The petition states:
“This proposed policy would strip librarians at the Montgomery County Memorial Library System of their voice—and the community of the librarians’ knowledge and expertise. Moreover, it gives the power to five, commissioner-appointed citizens to dictate which children’s, young adult and parenting books can remain on the library’s shelves.
The current policy requires proof that the individual filing the complaint is a Montgomery County resident. It allows for input from librarians. And decisions to permanently remove or restrict books are not based on arbitrary and undefined factors. This proposed revision strips away all of that.”
Statement by Children’s Defense Fund-Texas
Maggie Stern, the Youth Engagement & Civic Education Associate at the Children’s Defense Fund-Texas, provided a statement to KPRC2 expressing opposition to the citizen committee.
“It is deeply concerning that the Montgomery County Commissioners Court chose to empower political appointees to ban books from the public library. This new policy not only removes trained librarians from the book reconsideration process, it also allows outside interest groups to file challenges over the voices of Montgomery County residents and librarians who actually use the public library.
As book banners continue targeting the classroom, the county, and the Texas Capitol, we are proud to support Texans statewide standing up for the freedom to read - including the 1300 people who signed a petition circulated by the Texas Freedom to Read Project and Montgomery County residents in opposition to this policy.
Young Texans have the right to read books that reflect their own lives, teach them about others’ lives, and inspire them to lead. We urge Montgomery County to put the needs of children, youth, and families above the demands of a small number of book banning extremists.”
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The next commissioner’s court meeting is scheduled for April 9 at 9:30 a.m.