Those driving this seemingly relentless wave of censorship in Texas defend their actions by claiming restricting and removing books in K-12 public schools is not “a book ban,” but rather necessary to “protect children from obscene and harmful materials” which they dub “pornography.” They claim “No books are being banned. Anyone can still check these books out from their public library. These books just do not belong in schools.” Besides the fact that many of the books they target are not even close to “obscene” or “pornographic,” they are straight up lying.

Texas Public Libraries Are Under Attack

Over the past three years the same politicians, political and religious groups driving book bans in public schools, have been pushing for restrictions and removals of books from public libraries, too. We have seen battles waged on public libraries in Llano, Montgomery County, Huntsville, League City and most recently in Corpus Christi.

Support Corpus Christi Libraries:

Sign this Petition!

Corpus Christi Library Supporters Oppose Censorship

On September 3, the Citizens Defending Freedom dominated Library Advisory Board voted to recommend significant changes to the Corpus Christi Public Library’s Collection Development Policy. The proposed policy is currently under review by Corpus Christi Library staff and the City Attorney’s Office. They will return their feedback to the Library Board, before the policy makes its way to the Corpus Christi City Council and Mayor for consideration. 

On September 17, Corpus Christi residents and library supporters, including Julie Rogers and Tom Tagliabue, shared public comments with the Corpus Christi City Council. Julie and Tom thoughtfully called out the harm these kinds of politically motivated library collection policies can do, especially to citizens and patrons who belong to marginalized communities, and the First Amendment implications of restricting and removing library books based on the viewpoints and ideas they contain. They pleaded with the Corpus Christi City Council and the Mayor to reject the proposed changes in order to defend and support the freedom to read, and to ensure the Corpus Christi Public Library remains a place where every library patron can feel welcome, safe and seen. 

Watch and listen to Julie Rogers’ comments:

Watch and listen to Tom Tagliabue comments:

Context: The Battle over Corpus Christi Public Library

Citizens Defending Freedom, who is part of the Remnant Alliance coalition driving many of the extreme anti-government, anti-public education, anti-LGBTQ+, and anti-library agendas plaguing Texas school districts and towns has managed to infiltrate and take control of the Corpus Christi Public Library Advisory Board where their preferred representatives have consistently undermined the community’s long held support of the public library.

On September 3 the Corpus Christi Public Library board voted to send significant changes to the Collection Development Policy, proposed by the CDF controlled Library Advisory Board to Library staff for consideration and input before they can send the changes to the Corpus Christi City Council and Mayor for approval. The Library staff will make the recommendation whether and how it should advance to the Council and mayor.

Some of the changes include:

• Restricting, relocating and removing books from the childrens and Young Adult (YA) sections of the public library
• Requiring children under the age of 18 to receive a library card that includes restrictions set by the public library- not their parents.

We believe parents, not the government, are best equipped to monitor and guide their children’s reading selections. As Texas parents we don’t want the government- big or small- telling us what our kids can and can’t read.

How You Can Support the Corpus Christi Public Library

1. Sign the petition to oppose the proposed Collection Development Policy changes, and stand in solidarity with residents like Julie and Tom fighting to defend the freedom to read in Corpus Christi.
2. Attend the Library Committee meeting on October 1, at 10:30AM at the La Retama Central Library, and register your opposition to the proposed changes to the Collection Development Policy, and your support for protecting the freedom to read in Corpus Christi Public Libraries. (Agenda item G-5)
3. Provide a general public comment to the Corpus Christi City Council ahead of the next City Council Meeting on October 15, to register support for the existing Collections Development Policy and to register opposition to the proposed Collection Development Policy revisions. Let the Corpus Christi City Council know why you oppose the proposed changes, and what the public library means to you and your family.
4. VOTE. Vote Library Friendly candidates up and down every ballot, every time. The next opportunity to vote for library friendly candidates will be November 5- early voting begins October 21. Last day to update or register to vote is October 7. Nueces County Election and Voting information can be found here.
   • To find out which candidates are "library friendly," you can ask Corpus Christi City Council candidates their positions on the public library and the proposed changes presented to the library board. You can ask candidates for any and all elected positions, how they feel about the freedom to read, and what their thoughts are about the wave of censorship that's washed over our state during the last 3 years. You can consult voters guides and informed friends, family and neighbors. You can look at the endorsements they receive and figure out which candidates are embracing endorsements and taking money from groups who voice support for, or attack, the freedom to read, libraries, books and librarians. 

About Texas Freedom to Read Project

Texas Freedom to Read Project supports, connects, and mobilizes parent and community led initiatives fighting for student rights and against censorship and book bans in Texas. Texas Freedom to Read Project strives to defend, protect and preserve the rights of every Texan, especially public school students, to freely read and access information and ideas. Learn more about us here.