York County Library OKs new LGBTQ book policy. Critics say lawsuits are coming
The York County Library board on Thursday approved a new book collection policy that critics warn will restrict children’s access to LGBTQ-related books and could expose the county to the same First Amendment litigation now facing Greenville County.
The policy instructs librarians to consider a specific book ratings website some say has a conservative bias when selecting youth materials and could exclude books addressing gender identity from the children’s section. The only dissenting vote came from board member Terry Plumb, who said the policy contradicts itself, harms LGBTQ patrons and undermines professional librarians.
“I think that’s inviting a lawsuit,” Plumb said during the meeting. “You’re just asking for trouble. It shows a political bias that we’re going to be nailed on.”
Supporters say the policy is not too different from ones found in public schools and protects children from inappropriate or sexually explicit material.
The Thursday meeting was at full capacity with around 40 people including the board members. People lined up in advance of the meeting to try and get a seat with some turned away due to space constraints. Attendees spoke both in favor and against the policy, with some clapping at the end of the meeting and others holding signs protesting the change.
Change in how books are selected and shelved
According to a draft of the policy, librarians must now consider reviews from RatedBooks.org, a volunteer-run site that flags “objectionable content,” when deciding whether a title is appropriate for teens or children. It also specifies that books addressing “gender identity or other mature themes” may be excluded from the children’s section and placed elsewhere.
Support York County Libraries, an advocacy group opposing the changes, posted on Facebook that Rated Books disproportionately labels LGBTQ content as “objectionable” and that elevating the site in county policy “codifies ideological bias” in book selection.
On the website, titles like “Introducing Teddy: A Gentle Story About Gender and Friendship by Jessica Walton,” and “Not Quite Snow White by Ashley Franklin” have been flagged for “alternate gender/sexual ideologies,” and “DEI,” respectively.
During public comment, Axel Irby, a library employee and transgender man, told the board that Rated Books is a parent-run organization with no official library affiliations and that its linked sources include conservative groups such as PragerU and No Left Turn in Education.
“Personal values like these cannot be used as a deciding factor for public library collections,” Irby said.
Plumb echoed those concerns, questioning why the board would not use established professional review sources. He said the site’s criteria are subjective and do not offer meaningful assessment of a book’s literary or educational value.
“How is our library staff supposed to use that website as a way of picking books?” he asked. “It’s ridiculous.”
Plumb also argued the policy undermines the library’s own stated principles. He read from the policy’s appendix noting that libraries “should provide materials and information presenting all points of view” and should not exclude materials based on partisan views. He added that while the policy acknowledges that gender-diverse people exist, it simultaneously restricts their access to books.
Carol Herring, the board secretary, defended the policy, saying it mirrors procedures used in public schools when books are challenged. She said books on LGBTQ topics would still be available to children, since library cards don’t restrict checkouts from any section. They just won’t be found in the children’s section.
Board chair Timothy Steele praised the policy subcommittee’s work.
“I really think that the overwhelming majority of York County citizens when they look at this policy… will also say ‘this is just common sense.’”
Policy could spur legal action
Hours before the meeting, the ACLU of South Carolina sent a letter to the board urging members to reject any policy that relocates LGBTQ-themed children’s or books to other sections. Such a change, attorney Sam Kennedy wrote, “would violate your minor patrons’ fundamental right to receive information under the First Amendment.”
The letter said that it did not matter that the books were just relocated instead of removed; it was still an infringement on First Amendment rights.
Greenville County is already facing a federal ACLU lawsuit over a similar policy, which removed LGBTQ-themed youth books from children’s shelves and created new access barriers. The Rock Hill Herald previously reported that at a prior meeting policy chair Dennis Getter suggested “copying and pasting” parts of the Greenville policy for York County.
The ACLU of South Carolina declined to share if they will pursue legal action against the county now the policy has been passed.
However, the board recently purchased $20,000 in additional liability insurance, which one speaker argued during public comment signaled the county may be preparing for legal challenges.
This story was originally published December 11, 2025 at 4:01 PM.
