Central Bucks School District votes to approve controversial library book policy

DOYLES - The Central Bucks School Board voted Tuesday to approve a controversial new library policy that targets book content. 

The vote passed 6-3 after dozens, including school staff, students, and local residents, spoke mostly in opposition of the policy.

The new policy will allow the board to control what books are allowed in their libraries based on sexual content. 

Critics argue that the policy goes too far and would result in classic books getting banned. 

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Librarian Chris Kehan said she believes the decision to pass the policy despite staunch opposition shows that the school board isn't valuing the public's opinion. 

"For the last four months I've been coming to school board meetings and policy meetings and everyone - the majority - is speaking against this policy and they just voted it in," Kehan said. "So that says they're not hearing our voices, they don't care what we think, they don't trust the professionals."

Central Bucks School District's Superintendent Dr. Abram Lucabaugh said the policy is not a ban, and the new policy is aimed at ensuring children aren't reading inappropriate material. 

"What we do want is every one of our student to be seen, but we also want our students to be seen in our library book and that they are age-appropriate," Dr. Lucabaugh said. 

The vote was preceded by a round of open-floor public comment.