Canton Public Library denies book ban requests

By Mary Ann Price

Gender Queer: A Memoir, written by Maia Kobabe, is a graphic novel that tells the story of Kobabe’s life from teenage years to adulthood as the author explored gender identity and sexuality. A winner of the Alex Award from the American Library Association (ALA), the book has also been a source of controversy as communities across the United States have challenged its placement in library and school collections, making it one of the most challenged books in the country. This past spring, two Canton residents submitted separate Materials Reconsideration forms to Canton Library Director Andrea Capone, asking that Gender Queer be removed from the library’s collection. Neither resident had read the book but both expressed similar concerns about its content.

Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe

“Nationwide, there has been over a 200 percent increase in the recorded number of books or programs that have been officially challenged,” Capone said. “Those statistics are kept by the ALA. There has been a nationwide push to remove items from library and classroom shelves. Most of the recently challenged materials have to do with characters or authors that are minorities, or people that identify as LGBTQ+.”

Capone said this was the first time she had received a Materials Reconsideration request in her five years as the library director. Gender Queer, according to the ALA, ranked as the most challenged book in both 2021 and 2022, with many of the objections citing the presence of sexually explicit illustrations.

The Canton library owns two copies of the memoir, which was published in 2019 by Lion Forge Comics. The first copy, according to Capone, was “checked out so many times that it met the library’s criteria for purchasing a second copy.” Reference librarian Ashley Perry made the second purchase when she was hired as a young adult librarian. “It had great reviews from the American Library Association,” Perry said. “I read it myself and really enjoyed it. I think it’s an interesting topic.”

In addition to winning an Alex Award — which annually recognizes books written for adults that have special appeal for young people ages 12-18 — Gender Queer was also named a finalist for the Stonewall Book Award for non-fiction. “It’s very well-written,” Capone said.

After reviewing the library’s Materials Selection Policy, Capone shared the following findings with the residents who had requested a reconsideration: The book was an accurate description of the real-life experiences of the author; it received positive reviews in School Library Journal and Publisher’s Weekly; it was purchased through the normal procurement process at a price in line with that of other young adult materials; it was nominated for the “2019 Best Graphics Novel for Teens List”; and it has been recognized for both literary and artistic merit. Capone further noted that the topic of a non-binary person was underrepresented in the library’s collection and its addition would help increase balance in that area.

“The patrons did not like the content of the material,” Capone said. “We cannot censor our collection based on the content of the material.”

Capone said the process was guided by the library’s Materials Reconsideration Policy, which had been approved by the publicly elected Board of Library Trustees. Based on that policy, she denied the two requests. Elaborating on her decision in a letter to the two residents, Capone wrote, “The library does not make decisions on the basis of protecting patrons from particular content or topics and expects that individuals using the library will determine which resources and services are right for them and/or their children. A child’s parents or guardians are responsible for determining what is appropriate for that child and for monitoring their access to library materials. Neither library staff nor other individuals may make such decisions for other people’s children.”

Capone explained that staff librarians select materials for the library’s collection by using professional standards. “Items are added to the collection with a thought towards balance, with a thought towards the use of the library, but also for the collection as a whole,” she said. “We want to have representation of a wide range of materials so that people can come to the library and choose what best suits their needs.”

Rosie Moore, the Young Adult librarian, said that she selected the first copy of Gender Queer for several reasons, including the popularity of the graphic novel format with younger readers and the fact that it had been nominated for awards. “I did absolutely choose it to bring light to underrepresented viewpoints,” she added.

Capone noted that the Canton Public Library subscribes to the principles of intellectual freedom as stated in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, specifically the idea that every American citizen has the right to “freely hold and express beliefs” and to “access the expressions and beliefs of other people without restriction.” Additionally, they assert that it is unconstitutional for a government entity, including a public library, to “censor or restrict the free and open exchange of ideas.”

In a statement on its website, the ALA expresses its belief that libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

In denying the two requests to remove Gender Queer, Capone said she informed the residents that they could attend the next trustees meeting if they were not happy with the decision or wished to request a formal appeal. However, neither resident attended nor did they contact Capone with any further concerns.

Capone said the trustees did vote to amend the existing policy to add language limiting challenges of a specific book to once every three years, which is the typical evaluation period for the library’s collection.

“We responded with the determination that this material was appropriate for the collection and that it would stay,” Capone said. “The wonderful thing about our library is we have something on the shelf for everyone and if you don’t like an item, you don’t have to check it out. If this is not the book for you, then you can read a different one. I’m glad that here we have a robust policy for collection development, because I would never want to be in the position where solely my opinion was what decided whether or not a book could stay on the shelf.”

Capone said she learned a great deal by going through this experience. “I learned that while we have a community here that is very supportive of our library, we have different beliefs and ideas about the role of the public library,” she said. “I think conversation about that is good, ultimately, when you really focus on the issue. It’s not about any one particular book. It’s about the library as a neutral place, a neutral organization, that is here to serve everyone and is providing information and access to everyone in Canton, which is so important.”

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