Manning Valley resident, Kirralie Smith has expressed concern about MidCoast Council's choice of youth literature.
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Speaking publicly on social media, Ms Smith has condemned the stocking of Beyond Magenta: Transgender teens speak out by Susan Kuklin in the council's libraries.
The novel features first-person interviews with six transgender or gender-neutral young adults, which includes recounts of their sexual exploration.
In response to Ms Smith's concerns, MidCoast Council Libraries manager, Chris Jones explained how the libraries abide by Commonwealth and State government law on banned and restricted publications.
The library service purchases books according to a collection development strategy which specifically aims to build a collection that is representative and balanced.
Mr Jones said council's strategy was aligned to the Australian Library and Information Association policy.
State Libraries advice is that libraries can hold any book that is published, and under the Library Council Guideline on Access to Information in NSW Public Libraries:
"Library materials that have not been subject to federal and state restriction or prohibition should not be excluded from a public library on moral, political, racial, religious, sexist, language, or other grounds. Nor should library materials be included on these grounds alone, whatever pressure may be brought to bear by individuals or groups."
The Australian Library and Information Association's Statement on Freedom of Access is also reflected in the MidCoast Libraries strategy by acknowledging a commitment to:
1. Adopting an inclusive approach in developing and implementing policies regarding access to information and ideas that are relevant to the library and information service concerned, irrespective of the controversial nature of the information or ideas;
2. Resisting attempts by individuals or groups within their communities to restrict access to information and ideas while at the same time recognising that powers of censorship are legally vested in state and federal governments.
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