Letter: Filtering book contents is not a violation of free speech

As public record, the community never asked to ban the books. What was asked was for special book placement within the library. Chetco Library contended the community was trying to ban free speech by not following the constitution. “Filtering book contents” is not a violation of free speech, per the decision of the United States V. American Library Association 539 U.S. 194 (2003)

The community disputes the lack of transparency of their monthly minutes since 2021. With the new evening meetings came new rules for public comments. The Board of Directors voted ALL PUBLIC comments had to be “pre-approved and only on the current agenda”. The Board has obfuscated duties and commitments and is rewording the “Responsibilities of the Directors” by striking out what was previously stated in the 2023 handbook, “to work with the public, above private interests.” The new rules will reflect the library’s unconstitutional right to keep obscene, highly graphic and sexually explicit books from discussion for our children. The library stands to corrupt our children by publicly misleading the meaning of law of “Filter” protections.

The sexual books are not isolated to Chetco Library, as the library shuttle system facilitates the transfer of books to 16 rural libraries. The courier shuttles books from Coos Bay to Brookings, and small libraries like Langlois, Pacific High School, within Curry County. The expulsion of “Bad” books is a bigger challenge than just a community problem; it’s a library system that allows transfer of highly graphic and sexually explicit books to our rural communities.

To cut the head off this snake would take a court challenge to the State of Oregon Library Association and its partnership with the American Library Association.

Why should Brookings and other rural communities be forced to support a library system that reflects taxation without representation?

Kellie Evans

Harbor