Fresno’s controversial library book committee in doubt in the wake of state bill

Appointments to Fresno’s controversial review committee for children’s library books are on hold as potential state legislation threatens to put an end to local book bans, county officials said.

Assembly Bill 1825, introduced by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, D-Torrance, would prevent bans on library materials that deal with sexuality or diverse identities.

The office of Supervisor Steve Brandau, who authored the resolution creating the book committee, told Fresnoland the supervisor is holding off on making any appointments to the committee until he knows the fate of the bill.

“AB 1825 would have major implications for the organization and purpose of the committee. As written,” said Brandau’s chief of staff, Robert Jeffers, “it would basically strip the committee of any authority to limit children’s access to age-sensitive materials.”

Jeffers added that Brandau “strongly condemns” the bill, saying it’s an instance of “Sacramento again forcing a one-size-fits-all order over what should be a local matter.”

Fresno County spokesperson Sonja Dosti confirmed over email that appointments to the committee have yet to be made at any Board of Supervisors meetings and that the county will “reassess” if AB 1825 passes.

Muratsuchi’s office said they’re “hopeful” the bill will receive Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature – but that they only have until the end of the legislative session Aug. 31 to ensure it ends up on his desk.

“Unfortunately, the essential freedom to read has been under attack in recent years,” said Kerry Jacob, a spokesperson for Muratsuchi’s office. “This California Freedom to Read Act protects the fundamental right of access to diverse and inclusive books and library materials.”

How is Fresno County’s library book committee supposed to work?

The county’s library book review committee narrowly passed through a vote by the Fresno County Board of Supervisors in November 2023, despite opposition from LGBTQ advocates and the ACLU of Northern California.

The ACLU charged that the review committee would disproportionately affect books on reproductive health, gender identity and sexual orientation. 

The committee is supposed to maintain a list of books and materials that are deemed not to meet community standards, as determined by the committee. Children will then have to receive explicit permission from a parent or guardian in order to check out those library materials.

Fresno County collected applications for the 11-member Community Parent and Guardian Review Committee through late April, receiving over 100 petitions from community members to join.

Each county supervisor can appoint two people to the committee, and the county’s chief administrative officer nominates the 11th committee member.

However, four months later, not a single appointment has been made to the book committee, Jeffers said.

“Supervisor Brandau has reviewed all of the applications but has not selected his members yet,” he said. “He doesn’t want to appoint anyone until after he knows whether AB 1825 passes.”

About AB 1825

AB 1825 would allow public libraries across California to establish a policy for choosing books and a mechanism for community members to voice objections.

However, it prevents library book bans that include diverse perspectives or sexual content, unless that content qualifies as obscene.

“The bill prohibits public libraries from banning books that discriminate against or exclude materials based on race, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, political affiliation, or socioeconomic status,” said Jacob of Kuratsuchi’s office, “or on the basis that the materials under consideration contain inclusive and diverse perspectives. ”

Currently, the bill is awaiting a floor vote in the state senate. After that, it will come back to the state assembly for a final vote on concurrence, “and then on to the governor’s desk,” Jacob added.

Newsom has 30 days to sign the bill once it reaches his desk.