Local resident Sandi Trusso testified at a May 4 commission meeting, “So far there is no law that states taxpayers have to provide people with erotica or sexual stimulation and label it literature at the same time,” according to the May 5 Ocala Star-Banner. Trusso was referring to the brouhaha over library Director Julie Sieg’s recent banning and subsequent reinstatement of the erotic Australian novel Eat Me.
Trusso’s sentiments apparently echo those of several commissioners. “It just so happens five members of the library advisory board—their term expires in June,” commission Chair Andy Kesselring remarked in defense of a proposal to halve the board and give the five-member commission appointment power over the remaining trustees to ensure “accountability.” Recalling the 1997 formation of the library board, commission Vice-Chair Steve Henning mused at an April 20 board meeting, “We delegated our responsibility to that board. We even let them set policy on our behalf.”
At a commission workshop the next day, Ocala resident Scott Hirschi contended that the proposed change was a “transparent attempt to hobble the library board, and hence the library” and would inject a “narrow and puritanical mindset” to selection practices. Henning objected, asserting that the timing of the reexamination of the board’s functions had unfairly generated “conspiracy theories,” according to the May 6 Star-Banner. The newspaper also reported that almost 40 local residents had spoken out during the two days of meetings, most of them opposed to changes in policy.
The commission, which reached no conclusions, is scheduled to take the matter up again May 18.
Posted May 7, 2004.