Idaho library director stands by decision to keep objectionable books on shelf

The director of a library in Idaho is standing by her decision to keep “sexually explicit” books on the shelves, according to a report.

Details of Garden Valley District Library Director Kerri Hart’s defense were shared in a report by the Idaho Freedom Foundation (IFF).

One of the retained books, called S.E.X: The All-You-Need-to-Know Progressive Sexuality Guide to Get You Through Your Teens and Twenties, was reportedly called “fantastic” by Hart. The book discusses topics such as “kinky” sex, masturbation, BDSM, “fluid-bonding” and gender ideology.  

“This book for young adults is fantastic,” the library director said in an email obtained by the IFF’s Center for American Education.  

Anna Miller, the center’s director and author of the report, told The Lion the email “was sent to a parent in the community who wishes to remain anonymous.” 

“It’s full of facts and drawings on reproduction, contraception, and anatomy – as well as information on celibacy, abusive relationships, how pornography is harmful to everyone, boundaries, STDs, the sexualization of young people, victim shaming, adoption and abortion and substance abuse.” 

Hart called the book “a treasure” and said it circulated in the library three times.  

The book also reportedly discusses “sensation play,” “bondage” and other “‘kinky’ activities.” It also teaches minors how to “talk dirty” for cybersex, analingus, and blood or body fluid play.  

Hart also defended Julian is a Mermaid, which parental rights group Book Looks says “contains depictions of alternate gender ideologies.” 

One of the other books is The 57 Bus, which Book Looks flags for having “references to sexuality, alternate gender ideologies, profanity and inflammatory political commentary.” 

“This is a Youth [non-fiction] book that relays the true story of a high school student with Asperger’s syndrome named Sasha who was set on fire by two boys. The boys admit they set fire to Sasha because they’re homophobic, though Sasha is non-binary, not gay,” Hart said.  

She said the book had been challenged a few times because some have said “it encourages gender confusion,” but claimed to “have not been able to find any evidence” supporting the challenge.