Do you know what books are in your child’s school library?
Across New Mexico, sexually explicit books continue to line the shelves of public-school libraries – often accessible to students as young as ten years old. These books include graphic sexual content, detailed discussions of gender identity and sexual acts, and illustrations that would never be appropriate to read aloud in a public meeting – yet our children can check them out freely.
In Albuquerque Public Schools (APS), local parents have flagged over 125 titles for explicit or age-inappropriate content. Books such as Gender Queer, Flamer, and All Boys Aren’t Blue have been the subject of national discussion regarding their appropriateness for minors.
And it is not just Albuquerque. Parents in the Las Cruces Public Schools (LCPS) identified over ninety-five books available to students, some of which contain sexual content involving minors, violence, or other complex topics. Although officials have raised concerns, few measures have been implemented to protect students or involve parents in decisions about access.
In Rio Rancho Public Schools (RRPS), similar debates have emerged around books like This Book Is Gay and The Art of Drag. Although these books remain available, they have sparked significant public concern from parents calling for transparency and age-appropriate materials.
This is not about banning books. This is about safeguarding innocence.
Proverbs 31:8 urges us to speak up for those who cannot defend themselves. Our children are among the voiceless – too young to discern what may harm them and without the authority to shield themselves from inappropriate exposure.
When parents in Albuquerque raised these concerns to the APS board in late 2024, they were met with resistance and little action. In similar settings across the country, parents attempting to read excerpts from these books during public meetings have been told the material was too graphic for public comment. If such content is considered inappropriate for adults in a meeting, should it really be available to children in a school library?
If it is not suitable to say aloud, it is not suitable for a child.
These materials do not support literacy or academic achievement. They are undermining trust, threatening childhood innocence, and sowing confusion at a time when students need clarity and guidance.
We are calling on all New Mexico school districts – starting with APS, LCPS, and RRPS to:
- Audit school libraries and remove books that are sexually explicit or developmentally inappropriate.
- Publish complete book lists online so parents can review content transparently.
- Implement opt-in systems for controversial materials rather than automatic access.
- Respect parental rights; do not override them.
New Mexico’s children deserve better. This is not about censorship – it is about common sense and responsible stewardship.
Once again, I ask: Do you know what is in your child’s school library?
It is time to restore our schools as places of learning and integrity – where student safety is protected, parental voices are respected, and academic focus is kept clear and strong.
Nickie McCarty is the State Director for Concerned Women for America of New Mexico. She is also a former educator and athletic director.
