Board says pilot begun to limit children’s access to sexually explicit library books; policy changes expected this month

Public commenters pressed the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors on June 11 over sexually explicit books in county library collections, and county officials said steps are underway to limit children’s access.

"We actually have implemented, approximately a month ago, a pilot project at the Queen Creek Library where parents can select books that their children do not have access to," County Manager Jen Pokorski told the board. She said the county is also “working with the county attorney's office to develop other options to address community concerns about books in our libraries.”

Several speakers described encountering titles they called sexually explicit in children’s and young-adult sections. Asheem Ray said a title he described as “graphic, inappropriate, and explicit” remained shelved where minors could reach it despite prior presentations to the board. "Despite 3 formal presentations and documented community concerns, this board has taken 0 action," Ray said. Barbara Ratti, a grandmother, said she had found a title in the young-adult section “right at the entrance to the children's department” and described the book as being “eye level for children.” Cheryl Lugalbo told the board that many items on the day's agenda were off-limits to public comment and repeated calls to relocate sexually explicit books to areas not accessible to children.

Supervisors said the board has been working on the issue. Supervisor Mark Stewart said recent state legislation and actions by the governor were part of broader efforts to protect children and pointed to the Queen Creek pilot. Supervisor Debbie Lesko said board members have been reviewing the issue and confirmed that work is underway to address community concerns. The board approved library-district administrative items (agenda items 116 through 121) by unanimous vote during the meeting.

County staff described two lines of work: the pilot at Queen Creek that restricts access per parental choice and an upcoming policy amendment that would authorize relocation of books within library facilities. Pokorski said the county attorney is preparing policy language and that staff will present an update to the board later this month.

The board did not adopt a new countywide library policy at the June 11 meeting; supervisors and staff said a specific policy amendment and a progress report on the pilot will be presented at a future meeting.