ImagineIF Board of Trustees change to collection development policy draws criticism

The ImagineIF Libraries Board of Trustees amended its collections policy regarding potentially obscene materials Thursday despite pleas from the public and employees to leave it as is.

Board Chair David Ingram said the revisions were made to bring the county library system in line with a recent change to state code brought about by House Bill 234, the “obscenity bill” that was signed into law last year by Gov. Greg Gianforte. While the legislation initially sparked an uproar, much of what drew criticism was removed from the bill by the time it passed, according to the Montana Free Press.

State code defines obscenity as a representation or description of perverted sexual acts or an offensive representation of normal sexual acts, masturbation, excretory functions or human genitalia. It also outlines the offenses associated with distributing or displaying obscene material. The code does not require changes at the local level, but says “cities, towns, counties or school districts may adopt ordinances, resolutions or policies that are more restrictive as to obscenity.”