SDMA Library Books

Part 2 - Update and Q & A: Book Banning

This is Part 2 of a series of unknown length. Click here for Part 1 in which we discuss the Book Rating System and how to find out if sexually-explicit material is in your local public school library.

Report presented to school board

On March 20, 2023 I presented this Report: Explicit Books Found in SDMA Libraries during SDMA Community Communications to every school board member. (Start at 7:22.)

“Most of you school board members were shown this material back in December. Only Angie Skillings has responded to any of my repeated emails or requests for meetings since then. Now you officially know. Now you are responsible.” - me, 3/20/23

Retraction

I did make the assumption that after sharing this material with some of the board members and being told that it was discussed with the administration, that all would have been aware. Charlie Schneider stated later in this meeting that he did not receive any communication from me until 3/9 and that he did not feel he was personally being asked to comment.

I apologize if that was an unfair accusation on my part. Let the crickets counter begin on 3/20/23. Comment now anyone?

YOU ask them.

Here are the official campaign email addresses for all six SDMA School Board candidates (vote for three or fewer on April 4.)

Scott Parker - scottparkerforschoolboard@gmail.com

Amy Riddle-Swanson (I) - james4@wwt.net

Charlie Schneider (I) - schneider523@gmail.com

Brittany Weiker - brittany.weiker@gmail.com

Dale Dahlke (I) - dahlked@centurytel.net

Amber Kersting - ambergeo@gmail.com

Here is the contact list for the current SDMA school board.

Scott Parker and Brittany Weiker are strong conservative candidates who, I hope, would be willing to address this problem. Amber Kersteng presents as a strong liberal candidate. That said, of the six candidates, Amber has been seemingly the most interested in this subject. She has educated herself well on it and has listened thoroughly to my concerns. She has not tipped her hat on where she stands. Ask her. :)

New List of Explicit Books in the Menomonie Public Library

Click on the number to see the list of found books in that library. tinyurl.com/sdmabooksmap. The list for the city library only includes physical books purchased by our local branch. The MORE system, obviously, provides access to much more explicit material. There is no way to limit materials available at the library by age. Let the parent beware.

How a Community Converses

Here, again, is the report given to the school board. Let’s talk.

Q & A: Book Banning

Isn’t this just good old fashioned book banning?

First - All parties need to read the book excerpts that are being discussed (pages 8 - 12 of the report.) Or skim them if they are too troubling.

These are NOT the books I am suggesting we remove from the libraries. (Photo credit to Moms for Liberty, Williamson County, TN. This slide taken from their Library 101 video.)

Didn’t the SDMA Reconsideration Committee and the Menomonie Public Library quickly and unanimously vote to retain the books that a community member asked to remove?

The books brought before them were early elementary gender books.

Here are the books retained so far by the SDMA Reconsideration Committee.

1. It feels Good to Be Yourself-A Book about Gender Identity by Theresa Thorn

2. Love Makes a Family by Sophia Beer

3. Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff

4. Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

These were retained by the Menomonie Public Library when challenged.

1. It Feels Good to be Yourself by Theresa Thorn

2. Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

3. When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff

4. Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff

In regard to the decision of the committees, I note in the Report to the school board that

“The appointed membership of the Reconsideration Committee does not seem to be very representative of the community and taxpayers, which would be much more split on this issue.” — me, 3/20/23

The books I am talking about in this series are different. These books would be rated either NC-17 or X if they were movies. (If you don’t believe me, you did not read the excerpts in the report.) The material can involve opposite sex couples or same sex couples. Explicit material of either kind is not OK.

“The removal of these books from access by minors is no more “book banning” than it is “movie banning” when they are denied entry in that setting . . .”

“. . . (4s and 5s are equivalent to NC-17 and X rated movies, to which no minor would legally be admitted.) There are lots of things you choose not to put in your libraries, including all sorts of religious material. You already limit website access for age- appropriateness by grade.”— me again, 3/20/23

Let’s make a deal, for the sake of trying to have a conversation, you don’t call concerned parents “book banners” and we will try not to call you “groomers.” Fair?

Enough for one post. I will try to put out one final post before the election and I again invite any submission from anyone, especially school board members and candidates.

Send submissions to JoyceU@protonmail.com or just comment below.