BROOKINGS (11-12-26) — After hearing thirty minutes of public testimony Thursday afternoon, the Brookings Library Board voted unanimously to reject a proposal to implement the National Book Rating Index or NBRI — a book rating system similar to the film ratings issued by the Motion Picture Association.
Carla Dieter is with the group Citizens for Library Transparency, and spoke in favor of the rating system… “I appreciate the important reminder that books expose us to different perspectives. That intellectual freedom matters. I also believe that freedom to read should include the freedom to make informed choices. Book ratings aren’t book bans. We put boundaries around movies, video games, pornography, alcohol, gambling and countless other things because children are not adults. This information doesn’t prevent anybody from reading a book. It simply helps parents decide what’s appropriate.”
Nancy Stewart said she filed a formal complaint with the Brookings Library Board, alleging she has found 600 objectionable books at Brookings Public Library… “I am not talking about To Kill a Mockingbird or biology textbooks that explain how mommy and daddy make babies. No, I believe these are books that contain disturbing, sexually explicit material — books that describe in emotionally-charged language and profanity acts of adults raping children, children in various sexual acts, demonic ritual sacrifices.”
Most of Thursday afternoon’s testimony came from residents opposed to implementing a book-rating system.
Elizabeth Fox was among them and told the board that rating systems like the NBRI simply do not work… “Rating systems are notoriously ineffective, especially for children. They assume that all children of the same age are the same, and I assume that we all know that that is not true. No rating system is more effective than a parent at determining what books are appropriate for an individual child.”
Library Director Ashia Gustafson recommended the board reject the proposed rating system… “The NBRI is not industry standard. Libraries should reflect their communities, including all marginalized groups. Ratings included in the NBRI skew heavily towards books by and about LGBTQIA+ community. Per our Brookings Public Library manual selection policy, it is the responsibility of parents to monitor their children’s book selections. The library will not implement rating or labeling to direct those decisions. Parents are able to use internet resources — including the NBRI if they would like to — to make those choices that they deem appropriate.”
Library Board member Mark Binkley said he has not heard actual parent complaints about what parents say their children are finding at the library… “I haven’t met anyone that’s come forward and told me, ‘My child brought this book home and I’m not happy. I want you to consider this.’ No parent in town — I’ve been on the board for three years — has had an issue with this as at this point. We had a huge survey — 2004 survey — thousands of surveys went out. There was not one comment on those thousands of surveys that came back indicating, ‘This is an issue we’d like you to look at.'”
The motion failed on a 4-0 vote. Library Board Member Allison Schmitt was not present at Thursday’s meeting.
The official website of the National Book Rating Index is: https://www.nationalbookratingindex.com
The Policy Manual of Brookings Public Library is posted here: https://cms2.revize.com/revize/brookingspubliclibrarysd/About%20Us/Policy%20Manual/Library%20Policy%20Manual%2051526.pdf?t=202605150942250
— Brookings Radio News
