TELL MARICOPA COUNTY TO MAKE THE LIBRARIES SAFE FOR KIDS

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors also serves as the county Library Board and the county attorney provides legal counsel for both Boards.

Several extremely explicit books are being promoted to young children in county libraries. These books expose children to obscene content that is currently against the law in ARS 13-3553.

Citizens have asked the Board of Supervisors and County Attorney to remove these books from kids to be able to access for several months: https://x.com/merissahamilton/status/1771269303762813148

The only action the County took was to ban the book titles from being Public Records Requested due to the titles being too explicit: https://x.com/merissahamilton/status/1771998405675594035

Even the authors of one of the obscene books said his book was not written for children to view. Yet, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and County Attorney still have the books in the children's section of the libraries.

Click the Take Action button to tell the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and County Attorney to protect children and follow the law!

TAKE YOUR ACTION A STEP FURTHER
While the County Board of Supervisors and the County Attorney have the ability to remove explicit books from the library, here is the process from the County Manager's office on how to challenge a book:

The Library District recognizes the right of individuals to question library materials in the District’s collection. Customers can direct concerns regarding a title’s placement or inclusion in the collection to designated staff members at their local library location, or by calling 602-652-3000. If, after discussion, the customer wishes to submit a request for an official review of the material, the staff member will provide the customer with a Request for Reevaluation of Library Materials form. The Collection Management department will evaluate the title and respond in writing to the customer within 14 business days. Material that has been questioned will remain in the active collection until a determination of its status has been made.
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Here is the email that will be sent to the County Board of Supervisors and the Attorney when you submit this call to action:

As a taxpayer and voter, I implore you to take action and remove the explicit children's books from the libraries. As the Maricopa County Library Board and Attorney, it is part of your duty to ensure the children's section of the libraries you oversee are age-appropriate and safe for kids.

Several extremely explicit books are being promoted to young children in county libraries. These books expose children to obscene content that is currently against the law in ARS 13-3553.

While citizens have asked the Board of Supervisors and County Attorney to remove these books from kids to be able to access for several months, the only action the County took was to ban the book titles from being able to be Public Records Requested on their own website due to the titles being too explicit.

Even the authors of one of the obscene books said his book was not written for children to view. Yet, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors/Library Board and County Attorney still have the books in the children's section of the libraries.

The known explicit book titles include:
- “It’s Perfectly Normal”
- “Gender Queer”
- “Dancing in My Nuddy Pants”
- “It’s So Amazing”

Why would you allow the children of this county to be exposed to such smut while at the same time making them vulnerable to predators?

Maricopa County should be a safe place for families to thrive, and parents should feel comfortable letting their kids peruse the books in the taxpayer-funded libraries — especially the children's section.

Please make our libraries safe for kids again!

By copying the BOS public comment email, I have also asked for this email to become part of the official public comment at the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors meeting.