Joy of Sex Books Relocated after Third Challenge
In response to a third challenge by resident Randy Jackson, the Nampa (Idaho) Public Library board has relocated The New Joy of Sex and The Joy of Gay Sex to the director’s office so the titles can only be accessed by patrons who specifically request them.
The board voted 3–2 to move the books at its March 10 meeting, the Boise Idaho Statesman reported March 11. The two new members who have joined the board since it voted to keep the books in general circulation in 2006 both supported moving the books to the director’s office.
While the board declined Jackson’s request to remove the books entirely, he declared himself “very pleased” and called the decision “a huge victory for our community.”
Thirty-one Nampa residents testified at the board meeting, 16 in favor of removing the books and 15 in favor of retention. “To me a library is a place of education and enlightenment,” testified Alice Heiggs, NBC affiliate KTVB-TV reported March 11. “To take away the books is to make it a dark place.”
Posted on March 14, 2008. Discuss.