Ada Library Refuses To Restrict Book

The Ada Community Library board has rejected the call of religious conservatives to move a children’s book dealing with homosexuality to the adult section.

The board voted 3-1 to continue shelving the book, “Daddy’s Roommate,” with other youth nonfiction books on social issues such as suicide, divorce and child abuse.

The Idaho Family Forum called for removing the book about gay parents from the library or at least keeping it away from children after Stephanie Howard, the mother of two, reported finding it on the floor of the children’s area last month.

Family Forum Director John Elliott said continued children’s access to the book undermined the ability of parents to pick the time they believe best to discuss issues like homosexuality with their children.

But trustees said they want to make sure children who want to read the book can find it without having to ask for it. They would rather keep the book accessible to everyone and have parents monitor their children’s reading.