TAMPA, Fla. — Hillsborough County Commissioner Michael Owen says he is taking a close look at the library system, and is proposing some changes.

Owen, who represents District 4, wants to make sure parents have control over what books their children can access in public libraries.  

What You Need To Know

  • District 4 Commissioner Michael Owen says he doesn't think parents have enough say in what children are able to check out from libraries

  • Owen says he's not pushing for book bans in public libraries, but more parental control

  • He says he also wants to look into disassociating with the American Library Association, which Manatee County Commissioners are also considering

Owen, who represents District 4, wants to make sure parents have control over what books their children can access in public libraries.  

“I think a parent should know, and have a say, about what their child is checking in and checking out," he said.

In a board meeting a few weeks ago, he had some questions regarding local public libraries. He said he’s still waiting on answers, but wants to know what’s currently being done to keep adult content out of young readers' hands.

“From what I’m getting from my constituents — I had a parent who has a 15-year-old and a 9-year-old, and they were able to access some books, and I’ll read you some titles: 'Guilty Pleasures,' 'Slippery When Wet,' 'Desires Edge,' "Invitation to Scandal,'" he claimed.

"I think that parents have a right to know what their kids are checking in and out,” Owen added.

Owen says while parents should monitor their kids closely, “I think we can put safeguards in place, similar to what Netflix has, or Disney has, where there’s some type of parental controls that would prevent their kids from having access to sexual material like that.”

Ultimately, Owen argued his proposals aren't about radically changing public libraries, but making changes he feels are appropriate.

“I don’t want to ban any books, I’m not out to change the structure of the library," he said. "All I want to do is give parents an opportunity to have a say in what their minor child is checking out and in the library system."