Jill Schramm/MDN Aaron Michels addresses the Minot Public Library Board Thursday. Board members at left are Carrie Evans and Roger Reich.

The Minot Public Library Board didn’t remove any books after hearing from residents Thursday regarding LGBTQ-themed items in its children’s and young adult sections.

An appeal of the library’s decision to leave two challenged books on the shelves brought more than 30 people to the board meeting to voice their views on what they consider appropriate for the library. Some spoke of the library as a public resource that should have something for everyone, while others spoke of the library as a public resource that should reflect the values of public consensus or morality.

The contentiousness of the book issue in the community and state in recent months prompted library staff to ask the board to consider increased security measures, particularly during later hours when staff may be alone at a desk. Interim Library Director Zhaina Moya said the library intends to ban one individual from the library for a year because the person was verbally abusive and threatening in voicing opposition to a book in the children’s library.

Thursday’s meeting had a few moments of heightened emotion and tension but largely afforded a civil discussion.

Sharon Armbrust brought the appeal over “Calvin,” in the library section for children ages 4-8 and “Two Boys Kissing” in the young adult section.

“We are doing a disservice to children if this is what we are propagating,” she said of the children’s book about a girl who determines she is a boy.

“If parents want to go out and buy whatever they want to buy, who’s stopping them? Nobody is stopping them. But as a public, we are purchasing these books. So we should have a say in what kind of books are brought into the library,” Armbrust said.

Those advocating for the book spoke about the need for a book that relates to children having those feelings and the ability of the book to open discussions with parents. The bi-racial status of the main character also was cited as a positive.

The board voted 4-1 to keep the book in the children’s section. Board Chairman Mark Lyman cast the only vote against.

“I felt like it was a really young age to have the conversation. I could probably support this book if it was in a different part of the library,” he said.

Board member Lyndsay Ulrickson cited the American Library Association Bill of Rights, stating libraries should provide resources for the information and enlightenment of all people.

“We need to have books for all of our patrons, for all people who have different beliefs,” she said.

Since acquired in late 2021, “Calvin” has been challenged twice but has not been otherwise checked out by the public. Moya said a book that has not been checked out over an extended time would be removed due to lack of patron interest.

“Two Boys Kissing” is about the experiences of LGBTQ youths and includes sexual references. It had support for remaining in the library by one resident who recalled reading it at age 17 and feeling grateful to read about people like himself and gay history. The book has been in the library since 2013 and has been checked out 21 times.

Library patron Wendi Baggaley said she understands the value of LGBTQ youth having access to books in which they can see themselves but voiced her concern after reading reviews that the book encourages minors to live out their orientation through sexual activity.

The board voted to keep the book.

The board also allowed for general discussion about the library’s book policies, which drew several public comments.

A former elementary principal, Del Quigley said the political climate is that parents aren’t smart enough to monitor their children’s use of a public library.

“I do think parents are smart enough and are reasonable enough to go to the library to help their child pick out a book that they are in favor of,” he said. “I’m totally opposed to any type of a book ban.”

“We as parents can find out what’s good for our children,” agreed Aaron Michels, also an educator. “If we were going to make moral decisions on everything, we could get rid of half the books in here because someone is going to be offended.”

Chris Brown, another educator, thanked the library for providing books with LGBTQ characters.

“Young people should be able to see themselves in the text they read and learn about those whose life experiences differ from their own,” he said, adding that he has had students who have expressed appreciation for books that reflect their own experiences or give them understanding of the struggles of others.

“Information on dating safety, consent, biological development and contraception is significantly more likely to be accurate coming from a publishing house than a screenshot of a screenshot of a screenshot shared on social media,” Brown said. “One can certainly critique the age at which young people have access to large unfettered sexual content. However, that content is coming via their cell phones and computers, not via a curated collection of the Minot Public Library.”

Charles Tuttle argued against sexual materials in the children’s sections of libraries.

“We’re not thinking about the children at all. We’re thinking about our beliefs, our egos. We need to start fixing the problem of mental health in our children. And these books aren’t the answer,” he said.