Huntington Beach Library Defies Court Order, Keeps Restricted Book Section
A youth-restricted section containing books Huntington Beach city leaders deemed inappropriate for children remains in place at the Central Library despite a September court order mandating its removal, raising concerns about local governance and freedom of access to information.
In 2023, the Huntington Beach City Council directed librarians to relocate materials with “sexual content” from the children’s section to a designated youth-restricted area on the library’s fourth floor. This action prompted a lawsuit filed by residents, including former librarian Erin Spivey, who resigned following the directive, and the American Civil Liberties Union. “The instructions we expect the city to follow are returning the books to the children’s section, taking down the signs about restricted books, establishing the teen section and making sure that employees are protected from any pushback from the City Council,” Spivey said today. The lawsuit alleged a violation of California’s Freedom to Read Act, which prohibits removing library books based solely on their content.
Despite the judge’s ruling in favor of Spivey and a subsequent city objection, the restricted section remains. Even some residents who initially shared concerns about access to certain materials believe the city should comply with the court. “I just think they kinda jumped the gun on all the restrictions,” said Susie Davidson, a Huntington Beach resident. “Now, they’re finding out that it’s not working, but they should be listening to the government and let’s get it back in there.” The dispute follows a June vote where residents rejected the city’s library review board and a measure to eliminate the panel, a move some saw as a response to increasing book challenges. Book challenges have been on the rise nationally in recent years.
The controversy stems from allegations made by former Mayor Gracey Van der Mark and Councilman Chad Williams, who claimed the city’s libraries contained pornographic content, leading to the creation of an appointed committee to oversee book selections. “Children should not have access to these books,” Van der Mark stated. “If you’re an adult go for it; you can read whatever you want. But, it is our job and our responsibility to protect children from material that could be harmful for them and if they’re not mentally mature enough to read these books we shouldn’t be exposing them and only the parents can decide that. The government should not be deciding if this is appropriate for their children.”
The city will discuss the matter during a closed session meeting but has declined to provide further comment at this time.
