The Nampa Library Board voted to remove The Joy of Sex books from shelves.

NAMPA - After an open meeting, the Nampa Public Library board ruled in favor of removing two books containing sexual content.

The Joy of Sex and Joy of Gay Sex are no longer on the shelves at the library.  Both sides came out in force to a Monday night meeting to voice their opinion over the books.

Nampa citizen Randy Jackson brought the issue before the board twice before – with his concern being voted down twice in 2006.

Now after weeks of new debate – the books are off the shelves – but still available.

The library board voted three to two to remove the books - but the books are not banned completely.  The books will still be available upon request in the library director's office.   Jackson says censorship is not his goal.

“I don't think there's validity to the argument that this is censorship,” he said. “That’s not what we're asking for, that's not what they decided.”

The motion was made after two hours of input from at least 60 concerned residents - both for and against the removal.

The majority of those in favor of keeping the books argued that pulling them from the shelves was censorship.

“To me a library is a place of education and enlightenment,” resident Alice Heiggs said. “To take away the books is to make it a dark place.”

“I thank the library board for having these books for the kids who do need it,” Ken Brown of Nampa said. “There are some out there.”

Those in favor of removing the books argued that they are too graphic for children and have no place in a family library.

“As a citizen of Nampa, all I want from you today is to take the books off the shelves, so children can have a safe place to learn like I did years ago,” Charla Tedeski said.

“Discretion and moral decency does not equate to moral censorship,” Ted Wheeler said. “As a taxpayer on four Nampa properties, I do not want my money spent this way.”

Social worker Leta Neustaedter is not pleased with the board's decision. She believes the solution lies with more pro-active parents

“The solution isn't to try to stop the information from existing,” she said. “The solution is to have open clear conversations with their kids.”

Jackson is happy with the decision and believes it is in line with what the majority wants.

“If we truly believe something is right, then we need to stand up for it and we need to what's right,” Jackson said.

Rosie Reilley the chairperson of the Nampa Library Board says she is not happy with the decision and feels that it is censoring material.

Assistant director Camille Wood says the Joy of Sex book series has been in circulation for 15 years and is owned by more than 500 libraries including those in Boise and Eagle.

Wood says the Joy of Gay Sex was added to Nampa's collection in 2005 and was checked out seven times in the last year.