Assembly delays decision on removing 'Let's Talk About It' from borough libraries pending legal memo

Public commenters urged the assembly to remove the book Let's Talk About It from borough library shelves, calling its content obscene and inappropriate for minors. Assemblymember Bowles moved to pull the title from circulation by the end of the next day and asked staff to remove it from all borough libraries.

The borough attorney advised that removal raises legal and policy issues and offered to prepare a written legal memorandum for the assembly on the borough’s liability and the correct process for limiting access to library materials. Assemblymembers discussed postponing action until they receive that memo. Several members urged caution—citing the risk of legal challenge and long-standing library procedures—while others asked for an immediate hold on public checkouts pending the memo.

The assembly deferred final action to its May 5 meeting and asked that staff hold the title from public circulation until the attorney’s memorandum is complete and the assembly can deliberate. The attorney indicated he would try to deliver the memorandum before the next regular meeting.