Batavia Relocates Planned Parenthood Link

Batavia (Ill.) Public Library has moved a link to Planned Parenthood’s Teenwire sex education website from the “Young Adult” page on BPL’s website to the general health section of its “Web Reference” page. The board voted 4–2 to move the link July 15 in response to resident Kerry Knott’s request to have it removed from the site entirely.

More than 120 people attended the board meeting while picketers walked outside the library carrying signs with anti–Planned Parenthood messages, the Arlington Heights Daily Herald reported July 16. More than 30 spoke on the issue, with a majority in favor of removing the link. “I need to implore the board to listen to your constituents,” resident Jennifer Russell argued. “If you are elected to represent the citizens of the library district of Batavia, you need to listen to your constituents.”

Others equated removing the link with censorship. “I am constitutionally frightened and offended that political agendas are trying to dictate what this library offers,” said resident Susan Tatnall. “Your job is to provide information and avenues of learning and education for this community. It is a slippery slope when you start to limit that information because of the political views of some members of the community.”

Posted on July 18, 2008. Discuss.

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