A committee of librarians and patrons at the City of Mesa (Ariz.) Library voted 5–1 to reject a mother’s request to remove El Libro Vaquero—a series of Spanish-language comic books—because it contains drawings of partially nude women and scenes portraying sex and violence.
Maria Mancinas said her 12-year-old son read one of the comic books, which she called pornographic and degrading to women and Latinos, earlier this year. “It happened to my son and it could happen to anybody,” Mancinas said in the July 19 Phoenix Arizona Republic. “Unfortunately, the committee did not listen and seem to get it.”
Library staff pointed out the series is shelved in the adult section. Neighborhood outreach librarian Maria Hernandez said that although she wouldn’t want her own children reading them, the library serves the entire public.
Also attending the meeting were State Sen. David Petersen (R-Mesa) and Rep. Mark Anderson (R-Mesa), who objected to the books. Petersen said he would talk to city council members about the matter.
Posted July 22, 2002.