Update: The VCBC Library has moved the three copies of the book from the Young Adult section to the Adult Section. The board voted 4-1 in favor of the move.

Previously

Valley City (CSi) About 20 people testified during the Valley City Barnes County Public Library board public hearing regarding the book “Let’s Talk About It” on Thursday January 5 at the VCSU Student Center.

In September, 2022, a group of citizens had been asking the library director and the board of directors to move the book, “Let’s Talk About It,” from the youth circulation area to the adult section of the library due to its graphic images and (according to the group) the controversial message it portrays about human sexuality.

From the audience Thursday,Phil Kleymann said this book sends the wrong message to our youth in a public library.

Duane Coates added that the book should not be banned from the library.

Carter Hass said he didn’t agree with the images or the message the book portrays but he said, citing 1st Amendment rights, the book should not be banned or removed from the library.

After the hearing, Valley City Barnes County Library Board president Hilde van Gijssel said the library board will take two weeks to review all of the testimony submitted at the hearing and that, a special board meeting date will be announced to the public concerning their decision about the book “Let’s Talk About It.”

Previously

Valley City, ND – On Thursday January 5th, the Valley City Barnes County Public Library will hold a public hearing at the VCSU Student Center regarding a book by Erika Moen titled Let’s Talk About It .

A group of citizens in Valley City have been asking the library director and board to remove the book from library circulation due to its graphic images and (according to the group) the controversial message it portrays about human sexuality.

The hearing will be held at the campus of VCSU in the Student Center, Skoal Room, on Thursday January 5th at 5:30pm. The hearing will be in front of the Library Board and hosted by the Library Director. The public is welcome to come and observe the public hearing.

Persons wishing to speak must register prior to speaking, giving their name, address, and organization represented (if any.) No member of the public will be allowed to speak without having signed up ahead of time. The Library Director will call a speaker by name to stand up and speak, there will be no speaking out of turn or trying to talk over someone else while they hold the floor. The speaker must present a written copy of their testimony to the board before speaking. Each speaker will have 4 minutes to speak and then the board is allowed to ask them questions. After all speakers have finished the board will gather the submitted testimonies and deliberate, giving their decision within two weeks of the hearing being held. The decision made by the board will be final and no more appeals can be made in regard to this book.

Steps to take if a community member wants to speak at the hearing.
1. Contact the Library Director with name, address, and organization represented (if any).
2. Show up at the hearing on January 5th .
3. Wait to be called upon by the Library Director during the hearing.
4. Hand the board members a written copy of the testimony.
5. You have 4 minutes to speak as you hold the floor.

If a community member cannot attend the hearing in person they are free to submit a written testimony to the director. All testimonies received will be given to the board when they begin their deliberations.

For more details call the library to ask for the director by calling 701-845-3821, or you can email support@vcbclibrary.org