Topeka library restricts access to 4 sex-related books
Topeka ? Access to four books about sex, including “The Lesbian Kama Sutra,” will be restricted at the city’s public library after a woman complained about them being available on the shelves with other health books.
The library’s Board of Trustees voted Thursday night to prevent minors from having access to the books after reviewing the complaint. Topeka resident Kim Borchers called them “harmful to minors.”
The staff of the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library must now develop a plan for handling the books. The other three are “The Joy of Sex,” “The Joy of Gay Sex” and “Sex for Busy People: The Art of the Quickie for Lovers on the Go.”
Borchers, who leads a group called Kansans for Common Sense Policy, contends the books would be considered harmful under a law against promoting obscenity to minors.
The board’s vote was 5-3. Chairwoman Kerry Onstott Storey, who did not vote, said she was shocked and disappointed. Board member Michele Henry, who voted no, was in tears.
“I can hardly sit here,” she said, her voice trailing off. “I am sickened to be a part of something like this.”
Pedro Irigonegary, a Topeka attorney who attended the trustees’ meeting, said he already has been approached by people who want to file a lawsuit.