The West NewsMagazine article is no longer available on line, but has been reprinted below with persmission.
Concern About Sexually Explicit Materials At County Library
By Ted Dixon
September 17th, 2007
Some residents said they are concerned about what they deem are sexually-explicit materials that they found at the St. Louis County Library - Daniel Boone Branch located on Clarkson Road in Ellisville.
Laura Kostial said she spotted the materials in question in the Teen Section in the back corner of the library. Kostial sent to West Newsmagazine via e-mail some photographs of the allegedly pornographic material, including what she considered bizarre titles. More
"It did not seem appropriate for teens between the ages of 11 and 16," Kostial said.
Some of the book titles included "Homosexuality: What Does it Mean?" and "Growing Up Gay in America." That book describes in detail how to engage in homosexual acts. It also shows a photo of two men lying together side-by-side. Another title in question, "It Happened to Me: Making Sexual Decisions - The Ultimate Teen Guide,” includes graphic instructions.
"I was shocked," Kostial said. "(The lewd material) is a recipe for bad stuff." Resident Jeannine Floyd also said she is upset about the material. "You're asking for trouble," Floyd said. "I can't believe you're putting children at risk." Floyd said she is not into censorship or book burning but is adamant the materials she saw fall under the guise of soft pornography.
Residents said they are researching whether the books violate any state, county or city ordinances.
Ed McSweeney, assistant prosecuting attorney for the St. Louis County Prosecutor’s office, reviewed the materials and reported his findings to Kostial. McSweeney said that there are roughly three criteria for any materials to be considered pornographic under the law:
* The average person applying contemporary community standards would find that the material or performance taken as a whole has a tendency to cater or appeal to a prurient interest of minors.
* The material or performance depicts nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement or sadomasochistic abuse in a way that is patently offensive to the average person.
* The material or performance taken as whole lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value for minors.
McSweeney said the prosecutor's office does not feel the above criteria were met. Also, the material depicted does not rise to the level of material that is pornographic for minors as defined in state statutes. It appears to be educational in nature, albeit in a manner that some might consider to be objectionable, McSweeney told Kostial.
Still, Kostial said she would like to have the books removed from plain view of minors or at least placed behind the main counter.
Library Director Charles Pace said they do have the displays with the types of materials in question in stock; however, he said that personnel were not authorized to place them where they were placed. He said that library officials will carefully look at the materials and will determine in a matter of a few weeks if they will be moved to another part of the library.
He said there are approximately 17 books to review and they will look at the work as a whole. Pace also said the books usually are ordered through the library’s standard process. The librarians look at any positive reviews in order for it to become part of the library’s collection.
Pace also said the library has a wide variety of materials relating to teen sex, such as those on abstinence and various perspectives that focus on the family that serve the community.
Pace also said that while he appreciates the concerns of people who feel some materials might not be appropriate, it is not the library's job to act as parents. He also said that some people might find the information useful and informative.