Library Board refuses to censor book from teen section

original link: http://www.effinghamdailynews.com/local/local_story_230112621.html

Donna Riley-Gordon
Effingham Daily News

Effingham Helen Matthes Library Board was united in its stance against censorship Monday when it unanimously agreed to deny a request to remove a book from the teen section.Board members were adamant against censoring what books the public had access to, indicating it was up to parents and other patrons to preview materials prior to reading to decide if the book met individual tastes or value systems.Amy and Brad Hibdon and their five children all use the library, but the Hibdon’s became concerned about a particular book being offered in the teen section of the library after they read it because their 15-year-old daughter had checked out the book and seemed upset by the content.The book, “Living Dead Girl,” written by Elizabeth Scott, is about a 15-year-old’s perspective of living with her captor after being forcibly kidnapped and imprisoned at the age of 10. The book has received several accolades from book critics.The Hibdons formally requested the book be removed from the library or at least the teen section because of the graphic content of the book and the unsatisfactory ending. The main character is murdered at the end of the book.