KSDK's 10pm news tonight had a report about parent's being upset because of the content of books collected in a new "teen" section at a branch of the St. Louis County Library.

The story touches on a few topics we discussed in class:

The St. Louis County Library is funded by taxes so ultimately the tax payers have ownership.

This isn't exactly "banning" books because it's a question of placement in the library. The concern is that books with certain content are being placed in a special section for teens.

One book called into question reportedly was about how a young girl grows up and graphically describes a "sexual escapade". Also, during the investigating the the Director of the St. Louis County System reviewed a book titled "Growing Up Gay in America" and decided to move it back to an adult area of the library. This seems like he is deciding what teenagers topics and ideas are appropriate for teens.

Some are asking for a rating-system similar to TV and movie ratings. A ratings system would seem to be an example of government regulation. Applying the "Miller" test, I doubt these books are examples of obscene speech for adults. However based on the theory of Variable Obscenity, these books could be 'Indecent' for minors thus be more open to regulation. Apparently the library board is meeting soon to review the issue.

Again, I think the whole issue is blurred because they are arguing over the exact placement of books within the library. The book is still available to anyone man, woman or child that walks into the library whether it is displayed at the front door or tucked away on a back shelf. Is the placement or grouping of books within a public library a 1st Amendment issue? What about the old adage "censorship exists as soon as someone makes a list". Are they going to make a list of what books are appropriate for teens?

http://www.ksdk.com/video/default.aspx?maven_playerId=immersiveplayer&maven_referralPlaylistId=23621c078e12728197ba4651acd788ca140d33dc&maven_referralObject=868213960&maven_referrer=staf

http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=155631&catid=3&provider=email

(Hopefully that link stays active, I don't know how long they leave their stories up. On the "video page of their website you can try searching for "I-Team: Book Dispute Flares in St. Louis County")