SAN MARCOS PUBLIC LIBRARY
Why library workers oppose book bans
Libraries have long stood as sanctuaries of knowledge, intelligence and free thought. They are not just brick-and-mortar buildings for books. They are vibrant spaces that attract everyone of all ages, races and ethnicities.
San Marcos Public Library is blessed with more than 190,000 items, from books and photographs to CDs, DVDs and unique art works. In 2021, the library completed and renovated a gleaming 28,000 square-foot space. Beyond books, the bright, modern space boasts teen rooms, an enclosed children’s area and a technology hub. The library is active, popular and fun. San Marcos has about 75,000 people and is growing, building on its rich history and diverse identity.
“I’m so proud of the city of San Marcos, in the expansion and remodel and the reimagining of the public library,” Mayor Jane Hughson said. “This facility is innovative and progressive. Its design and purpose . . . will serve this community for many years to come.”
Libraries everywhere mirror diverse communities. People love them and work hard to protect them. Some people want to expand them; others want to limit the number of titles. Still others want to remove books. In recent times, some people refer to certain book titles as “unacceptable” and want to ban them.
Texas ranked third in the U.S. with 538 banned books from a dozen districts, according to PEN America’s banned books report, “Banned in the U.S.A.” The districts with the largest number of banned books are: Conroe, Fort Worth, North East (San Antonio) and Plano, Fortunately for San Marcos, banning books is a very minor issue. Few written challenges have been submitted to remove books, despite the fact that the community is certainly aware that a process is in place for challenges. City officials and the Library Board are eager to promote a healthy educational environment, without controlling thinking.
Diane Insley, San Marcos Public Library director, is proud of the library board’s management, growth, dynamic programming and leadership. She has enjoyed a stellar reputation for decades. The library has built community-building reading programs that involve firefighters and police. The library has a lenient and popular fine-free program. Insley has worked at the San Marcos Public Library for more than 36 years and is retiring this spring.
She said the library has had no problems related to book banning.
“People may submit a written challenge, and a book will be set aside until a challenge is resolved,” Insley said. “We haven’t had a problem here. The worst that has happened is that a book is moved to another bookshelf. We haven’t removed a book, and we haven’t ‘banned’ a book.”
The Challenge Form includes the book title, reasons why the challenge is being made and a place to list alleged offensive sections. The challenge will be submitted to the Library Board, then discussed and put to a vote.
Some books written at least three generations ago have fallen under widespread public scrutiny, including cult classics such as George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” and “1984,” written in the late 1940s, and “To Kill a Mockingbird, written in 1960 by Harper Lee; both books have been targeted for banning.
In the current Texas Legislature, SB-13 may give parents the ability to block children from checking out certain books and create local advisory councils to oversee school library materials. If passed, SB13 would be implemented Sept. 1.
Jordan Pavelko is a senior public relations student at Texas State University and a member of a national Bateman Case Study Competition team.
