Huntington Beach libraries begins process of re-cataloging children’s books

Librarians on Wednesday, Feb. 7, began pulling some children’s books from shelves at the Huntington Beach Central Library to evaluate if they should be relocated based on a controversial city policy adopted in October.

The policy says no city library should allow children “ready access” to books that contain content of a sexual nature. Books with sexual references are to be placed in shelves designated for adults.

Jennifer Carey, a spokesperson for the city, confirmed that staff have begun reviewing books for relocation.

Books pulled from shelves are being taken to a back area and evaluated if they should be re-cataloged within the library system and then placed back on their new shelf, Carey said. She said picture books could be re-cataloged within a day, but longer books may need up to two days before they are back on shelves.

“The intent for them isn’t to take a whole section of books off the shelf,” she said. “they are keeping everything on the shelf with the exception of those that they consider to fall within the guidelines outlined within this resolution.”

Carey said library staff have been working with Community and Library Services Director Ashley Wysocki and staff from the City’s Managers Office to interpret what is outlined in the City Council’s resolution setting the policy “so that they can make an informed decision as to what would qualify.”

Library staff on Wednesday were seen loading books onto carts for evaluation. Those books included “Will Puberty Last My Whole Life,” “Everyone Poops,” and “It’s Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health.”

It is unknown if any of those books were ultimately moved to shelves in the adult section.

There’s no timeline for how long re-cataloging all the books could take and only the central library has begun the process, Carey said. Books that librarians may deem as not straightforward would be later reviewed by an appointed community board that will have oversight of children’s books in city libraries. Both Carey and Huntington Beach Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark, who originated the push last summer, said there’s no specific time for when that board might start.

The city in February is celebrating “We Love Our Libraries – Huntington Beach’s commitment to books, reading and learning” as part of its new monthly history-focused calendar.

“It’s extremely hypocritical when you have ‘We Love Our Libraries’ month and you are trying to honor that and you are removing books, important books, that’s part of our collection that’s been developed over many years,” said Carol Daus, a resident who has been opposed to the city’s efforts.

“Not only is it a loss for the community when you start to remove books, but then there’s also the issue of First Amendment rights,” she said. “A public library should offer a diverse range of books and materials that are of interest to a community.”

Daus, who was at the library while books were being pulled, said the staff looked to be focused on paging through books about body development. Daus said there remains concern that LGBTQ books could be restricted.

Van Der Mark said her goal is to have the children’s section be an area where parents “can be confident that their children are going to pick up a book that is appropriate.”

While the review of books hasn’t started at the city’s other four branches, the libraries will be in communication so that if any books are moved at one library, duplicate copies are moved at the other branches, Van Der Mark said.