CARNAL NATION

Last week trustees at a public library in Ames, Iowa voted to keep a free magazine written "by teens, for teens" on its shelves after some parents petitioned for its removal. According to The Ames Tribune, the city's public library displays copies of Sex, Etc. in its teen area, allowing patrons to take the magazine freely without having to check it out. The magazine is published three times a year by Rutgers University; it focuses on various aspects of teen sexuality, from love and relationships to information about birth control and STDs.

Joyce and John Bannatine, a couple in the small Iowa city, petitioned the library to remove the free copies of the magazine and to leave the library's copy hidden so that teens would have to specially request it. The library trustees refused, voting 6-1 to keep the magazines freely available. Susan Wallace, a local writer who spoke at the board meeting, praised the magazine: "“I thought, ‘Wow, this is wonderful.’ It is peer to peer. It is professionally reviewed. I would urge you to keep this publication visible, accessible, open.”"

Trustee Harry Budd told parents and trustees that one article in the magazine made him uncomfortable. However, his response to concerned parents was a thoughtful one. “Thankfully,” Budd said, “not everything in this library conforms with my beliefs and values.”

(via Topix)