GISD gives update on review of library books

The Granbury ISD has issued a report on the progress of the library review committee, which has been examining books to determine their appropriateness.

The nine-member group is made up of parents, community members and staff. The committee chair is GISD curriculum director Stacie Brown. She is not a voting member.

As of Friday, Feb. 25, the committee had met three times to review 131 books.

At its first meeting, held on Feb. 1, the committee viewed letters from Gov. Greg Abbott to the Texas Education Agency regarding prohibiting pornography in school libraries. Accordingly, the scope of the GISD review centers on “written or visual material that depicts explicit sexual acts or overtly sexual content.”

One book is currently designated for removal because of sexually explicit material, according to the school district. This is in addition to five Abbi Glines novels previously removed from school libraries. (The committee agreed that the district’s removal of the Glines books was appropriate.)

According to Jeff Meador, GISD’s director of communications, a current summary of the review includes:

• 103 books returned to library shelves.
• One book designated for removal because of sexually explicit content.
• Two books confirmed lost and not in school libraries.
• 25 books remaining to be reviewed by the committee.

After the committee completes its review later this month, the district will publish a list of any books that the panel determines meets the criteria for removal. The district will also hold a public inspection for parents and the public at the administration building.