Dear Editor,
I am writing regarding the recent actions of the Mohave County Board of Supervisors, specifically Supervisor Ron Gould’s effort to have the board review and determine which donated books are “appropriate” for our county libraries.
According to his official biography, Supervisor Gould describes himself as a conservative who supports limited government, increased personal freedom, and personal responsibility. Those are principles many residents, myself included, value and take seriously. However, inserting the Board of Supervisors into decisions about which books belong on library shelves appears to contradict those very ideals.
The Mohave County Library District already has an established, professional process for selecting materials. Its policy states that selections follow the guidelines of the American Library Association and the Arizona Library Association, including the Library Bill of Rights and the Intellectual Freedom Manual, while complying with federal and Arizona law. In other words, trained library professionals not politicians evaluate materials under clear standards designed to protect access to information and intellectual freedom.
When elected officials step in to screen or delay books based on personal judgment, it moves away from limited government and toward government censorship. Whether the intent is framed as “review” or “oversight,” the practical effect is the same: restricting access to ideas. That is, in essence, book banning.
Public libraries exist to serve everyone in the community, not to reflect the preferences of any one official or political viewpoint. Parents already have the ability to guide their own children’s reading choices. What they don’t need is the government making those decisions for every family.
If we truly believe in personal responsibility and freedom, we should trust individuals and librarians not politicians to decide what belongs in our libraries.
Please contact your Mohave County Board of Supervisors if you oppose this via email at https://www.mohave.gov/departments/board-of-supervisors/ or by phone 928-753-0751.
Michael Johnson
Thank you Mr. Johnson for stating clearly why this book banning is wrong. Parents have the right to keep their own children from reading books they don’t like. They do not have the right to decide what books are right for my children or anyone else’s. This is what the First Amendment to the Constitution helps protect. Thought goes into choosing the books and people have the right to see themselves and their families in these books. Mr. Gould should know this and protect our rights.
Parents should decide what books THEIR children may read from a public library.
The Board of Supervisors should NOT be involved with this.
Do something about our water rights and electricity costs instead!!
I am writing to express my full support for Supervisor Gould’s decision to reject the inclusion of sexually explicit materials in our county library’s children’s collection, and to address the misleading characterization of this decision that has been circulating in our community.
First and foremost, this was not a “book ban.” To call it such is, frankly, propaganda. The book in question “The Beautiful Something Else” by Ash Van Otterloo remains freely available for purchase on Amazon, in bookstores, and through various online retailers. Bridget Lewison acts as if she is not able to purchase this book for her own children from Amazon; No one has been prevented from obtaining this book. What Supervisor Gould did was exercise appropriate oversight over what our county library formally accepts as part of its collection, a standard, routine function that library staff perform every single day.
It is worth noting that this review came about because the donation in question was a significant monetary gift, which is precisely why a supervisor was asked to review the materials being donated. This is standard due diligence, not censorship. Library manager Bryan Frieberg routinely declines donations; old or damaged books, outdated magazines, and materials deemed unsuitable, without any public outcry. In fact, citizens regularly walk away from the library counter with the very same materials they attempted to donate because their own donations have been rejected. This is a normal part of library administration.
Supervisor Lingenfelter made an important point: it is not the role of the government to parent the children of this county. However, it is absolutely within the purview of the Board of Supervisors to exercise oversight over what materials are formally accepted into a publicly funded institution. The library already has established policies and a Library Bill of Rights that govern the handling of inappropriate materials. Supervisor Gould’s review was entirely consistent with that framework.
Citizen Bridget Lewison’s remarks went well beyond a simple disagreement with the decision. She implied that the supervisors were unpatriotic and in violation of free speech principles, a dramatic overreach that fundamentally misunderstands the role and responsibilities of the Board. Lewison stated at 2:56:23 “The moment you destroy opposing voices you destroy the foundation of democracy” which has nothing to do with a responsible decision to reject; Her statement in fact makes no sense, what are the “opposing voices” she speaks of in regards to a rejected book? In reality, it is precisely the job of the supervisors to protect and maintain a safe environment for all library patrons, especially children. Their responsibilities include the behavior of patrons, the cleanliness and safety of the facility, the adoption of appropriate policies, the maintenance of acceptable noise levels, and ensuring cooperation between the public and library staff. These are not acts of censorship, they are acts of governance.
Labeling a routine administrative rejection as “censorship” inflames public sentiment and obscures the facts. The word “ban” implies restriction of access in fact, Ms. Lewison used several examples of propaganda, but access to this book has not been restricted in any way. It was simply not added to our county library’s collection. Ms. Lewison, like any member of the public, remains free to purchase this book through Amazon, any number of bookstores, or other retailers at any time.
The Mohave County Library District is supported by taxpayer dollars, and the citizens of this county have every right to expect that facility to be a clean, safe, and appropriate environment for all patrons, particularly children. The Board of Supervisors has both the authority and the obligation to make decisions that reflect that responsibility. When situations arise that affect the taxpaying public, it falls squarely within the supervisors’ purview to act, and that is exactly what Supervisor Gould did.
The Board needs to stand firm in support of Supervisor Gould’s decision and to reject the use of emotionally charged language designed to mischaracterize responsible governance as something sinister. Our community deserves honest, accurate discussion. Not political theater.