The Pasco County Commission has shifted authority to the county’s Library System Advisory Board to rule on appeals relating to requests involving reconsideration of library materials.
The board voted unanimously to expand the advisory board’s authority during its April 18 meeting.
In the past, the Library System Advisory Board has served in an advisory capacity only, with the Pasco County Commission having the final word.
In recent months, speakers have turned out to Pasco County Commission and the Pasco County School Board meetings to criticize books available in Pasco County libraries, urging the boards to protect children from materials they described as sexually explicit and inappropriate, especially for children.
They called upon the board to take a harder look at the materials that children can access.
The county has a process that allows the public to request reconsideration of library materials.
The county board’s April 18 action now gives the library advisory board the county’s final word on appeals regarding such reconsiderations.
Under the new ordinance, anyone wishing to challenge the library advisory board’s decision would need to take their appeal to court, not to the county board.
The library advisory board’s new authority becomes effective upon filing of the ordinance with the Department of State, which was expected within 10 days of its April 18 adoption.
Published April 26, 2023
