Lyme ― A sex education book for teens that made waves in Old Lyme will soon be on the shelves in Lyme.

Lyme Public Library Director Melissa Fournier this week said the “kerfuffle” surrounding the book “Let’s Talk About It” in the neighboring town has led to requests for the book here.

But before the book hit the shelves, the Lyme Library Board of Trustees on Wednesday heard from Old Lyme resident Mona Colwell about the dangers of material she described as “pornography marketed to children.”

The Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library Board of Trustees earlier this month rejected calls from Colwell and at least 134 others who signed onto a letter asking the board to remove two books, including “Let’s Talk About It,” from the young adult section and to conduct “a proper review” of all materials for that age group to ensure no similar books remain on the shelves.

The request was met with a petition from more than 400 people expressing support for the library and its collection.

Colwell in a phone interview Friday said she decided to attend the Lyme library board meeting because the agenda indicated a discussion would take place on its “policy relevant to book banning,” which she heard would include talk of the situation in Old Lyme.

“I personally feel that the coverage that has been put out there, particularly with banning books, has been inaccurate,” she said. “I wanted to make sure the people in Lyme understood it was never about banning books; it was about the content within the books and the age appropriateness of the books,” she said.

Fournier said the agenda item was written in error. The library board is reviewing all its policies as it is recommended they do every decade or so, but has no plans to change the library’s collections policy.

“Let’s Talk About It” covers modern coming-of-age topics through illustrations meant to reflect diverse gender identities, races and abilities. Local critics behind the calls for removal have pointed to sections on masturbation, oral and anal sex, and how to consume pornography.

For Colwell, the biggest problem is the section that describes pornography as a “sugary treat” and directs readers to the internet to explore “fantasies and kinks” with like-minded people.

She cited dangers related to pornography including sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

“I think any reasonable adult would agree that telling children to visit porn sites is not something we should ever do,” she said. “And that is in this book.”

Library board member and Lyme Selectman John Kiker described Colwell’s presentation as civil.

“She spoke, and we listened,” he said. “Nobody asked us to take any books off the shelves.”

Fournier said she has placed the library’s printed reminders throughout the library advising staff how to respond to inquiries about certain books.

“We develop our collections to provide a wide range of materials to represent all members of the community with the goal that patrons can see themselves and the lives of others represented in our materials to encourage empathy and self-awareness,” the reminder states. “As professionals we encourage caregivers to talk to their own children and based on their own family’s values take responsibility for what they wish their children to read and watch.”

Fournier and Connecticut Library Association Immediate Past President Douglas Lord, who attended the meeting in an advisory capacity at Fournier’s request, said the book does not violate state or federal law.

The U.S. Supreme Court has established a three-prong test to determine whether a book is obscene and therefore not protected under the First Amendment. To qualify, a work must be created “on the whole” ― not just parts of it ― to appeal to an unhealthy interest in sex; describe sex or excretory functions in a patently offensive way; and lack serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.

“That book is a self-help book,” Lord said. “I read it. Would I give it to my 14 year old? I don't think so. But that’s why I want to be so involved in what my child reads.”

Librarians, including Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes library director Katie Huffman, argue it’s up to parents to limit their children’s access to library materials. It’s the librarian’s job to make sure the collection represents the interests of all people in the community.

“By removing those books, I’m not doing my job,” Lord said.

He estimated more than 30 formal censorship attempts have been lodged in the state over the past couple of years. He said the Connecticut Library Association compiles a list of reported challenges, but he was unable Friday to provide it.

“Over the course of the past 18 months or so, censorship and challenges has been off the charts. I’ve just never seen anything like it,” he said.

The American Library Association has described an unparalleled increase in censorship attempts at libraries across the country. The organization cited a record 2,571 titles targeted for censorship in 2022, representing a 38% increase over the previous year that mostly affected books by or about members of the LGBTQ+ community and people of color.

Lord described the First Amendment as integral to a free flow of ideas.

“In the absence of that, history has shown time and again what it leads to,” he said. “And what that leads to is Nazi Germany or people flying planes into the World Trade Center: A uniform, dangerously monochromatic view of the world.”

e.regan@theday.com