NAMPA, Idaho (AP) – The Nampa Public Library Board, saying that a small group of people should not be allowed to impose their will on the community, has decided not to remove a sexually explicit book from library shelves.

But the board did approve moving The Joy of Gay Sex, along with up to 60 other books with sexually oriented topics, to the highest shelves where they would be out of the reach of children.

Library board chair Sharon Brooks said the issue was not about the contents of one book, but about whether individuals should be able to remove material they don’t like from a public library.

“If one title is challenged, what will be next?” she said.

In December, after being rebuffed by the library board, Nampa resident Randy Jackson asked the Nampa City Council to remove The Joy of Gay Sex and The Joy of Sex from the Nampa library. The books contain drawings and photos of sexual activity.

“I’m very disappointed that the library has decided not to represent the needs of the family,” said Jackson. “It’s hard, even if you are an involved parent, to keep them away from that. I don’t feel like I should have to blindfold my kids when I take them through the library.”

Trustee Laurene Stanford participated in the meeting by telephone.

“A public institution cannot guarantee protection from ideas we don’t agree with,” she said. “Parents are responsible for their children.”

Jackson said he plans to meet with concerned citizens and city leaders to discuss what step to take next.

Nampa Mayor Tom Dale and Councilmember Stephen Kren told the library board they wanted the book removed.

“This is about a particular book that is particularly graphic,” Dale told the library board. “This needs to be a safe place for our kids.”

Dale said that there was a clear consensus in the community that the book should be removed.

Library board vice chair Barry Myers disputed that, and said he had received mixed feedback from the community.

Board Trustee Bruce Skaug offered a motion to remove The Joy of Gay Sex from the library but it was not seconded.

“I’d rather my 9-year-old take up smoking than see the pictures in this book,” Skaug said.

A motion was then made to relocate sexually oriented books to the highest shelves and for library employees to make more checks so that sexually explicit materials are not left on tables or furniture.

That motion was approved.

About 50 people attended the meeting.

Larry Knapp, a Nampa businessperson, said he is withholding $10,000 and others who usually give large donations to city projects will not do so because of the books.

“Why would you want to create a larger problem,” Knapp told the Idaho Press Tribune. “If it were a company I owned, I would be more swift in responding.”

“The board decided they shouldn’t tailor their policy” because of political pressure, said Karen Ganske, director of the library.

Brooks released a statement to explain the board’s decision: “The majority of trustees agreed that these texts, however some might feel about their graphic nature, were intended as legitimate sources of information rather than as an appeal to prurient interests, which we believe would be the intent of what is broadly described as pornography.”

In Idaho under state law, library boards set policies independently. Board members can only be removed when a city council votes unanimously to do so.

Sharla Arledge, a Nampa city spokesperson, said no pledges to the library have been rescinded.