Physical Location & Relocation Policy
Adopted 8/15/24
Juvenile and teenage patrons may also use adult collections, even though those materials have not been specifically selected for them. The library will make all reasonable efforts to place items in age-appropriate categories; however, responsibility for the material selection of a minor rests with their parents and legal guardians.
The Chilton Clanton Public Library does not purchase or shelve materials that would meet the legal definition of obscene or shelve materials “harmful to minors” in areas designated for minors.
Sexually explicit materials will not be located in the library's Children’s, Juvenile, or Young Adult sections. Age-appropriate materials regarding religion, history, biology, or human anatomy should not be construed to be against this rule, per the APLS Admin Code.
Factors used to determine the location of a book will include but are not limited to the intended audience, developmental appropriateness, and quality of content.
A work should be judged as a whole, instead of based solely on the presence of subjects such as trauma, abuse, bullying, assault, and consent. Descriptions of sexual abuse should not be judged as sexually explicit simply for being of a sexual nature.
Sexual education materials that are medically correct shall not be considered sexually explicit.
Nudity and/or depictions of human anatomy are not in and of themselves of a sexual nature. Context and the work as a whole must be taken into consideration.
Our staff will use their training and the Collection Development Policy guidelines to place materials in the correct departments. The library staff, with the Library Director's assistance, will consider the developmentally appropriate placement of materials.
The Chilton Clanton Public Library Board has the final authority to decide if a material is sexually explicit or otherwise inappropriate for minors.
Patrons may fill out a “request for reconsideration” form to challenge the physical location of an item.
Definitions
Lacking a legal definition of “inappropriate for minors,” the Chilton Clanton Public Library will apply the definition of “Harmful to Minors” and “Obscene” as stated in Alabama Code Title 13A. Criminal Code § 13A12-200.1 as synonymous.
(11) HARMFUL TO MINORS. The term means:
a. The average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the material, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest of minors; and
b. The material depicts or describes sexual conduct, breast nudity or genital nudity, in a way which is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community with respect to what is suitable for minors; and
c. A reasonable person would find that the material, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value for minors.
(17) OBSCENE. The term means that:
a. The average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the material, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest; and
b. The material depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct, actual or simulated, normal or perverted; and
c. A reasonable person would find that the material, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.
SEXUALLY EXPLICIT The Chilton Clanton Public Library defines sexually explicit as detailed descriptions or depictions of sexual acts to include acts such as masturbation, intercourse, and oral sex.
The following will not constitute sexually explicit content:
· Kissing, hand holding, or touching over clothing
· Sexual content that is alluded to, but occurs off the page
· Non-detailed discussions of sexual acts. Ex: I heard that Jane and John had sex.
For the purpose of this policy, children are defined as persons 7 years of age and younger, juveniles are defined as persons 8 to 12 years of age, and young adults are defined as persons 13 to 17.
With the guidance of the library board, the library director has the power to relocate books based on the guidelines defined in this policy. The library board has the final say in where library materials are located.