In the News
September 5, 2025
Huntington Beach leaders respond to ACLU library lawsuit, set special election
Daily Pilot, LA Times
Feelings and trends come and go, but the Constitution is forever. We the people — and children also — have constitutional rights.”--Erin SpiveyFebruary 25, 2025
These censorship ordinances "will interfere with minors' rights to access information that will help them grow into well-rounded adults capable of fully participating in our diverse society."--Erin SpiveyFebruary 25, 2025
“It’s just so disheartening to see our city council turn this city against itself,” said Erin Spivey, one of several Huntington Beach librarians who quit in the past two years because of city interventions that they considered repressive. “People are getting really sick and tired of the city council overstepping what they are supposed to be doing. They’re supposed to be making our community better.”March 5, 2025
"When you remove a book from a section and place it in a new section that is only available to adults that is censorship,"--Erin SpiveyDecember 15, 2025
“I’ve always felt like the library is the purest form of democracy,” said Spivey, 45. “Every single person who walks through that door is equal to every other person in that building.”September 5, 2025
Huntington Beach must follow state’s Freedom to Read Act, O.C. judge rules
Daily Pilot, LA Times
"Whoever walks in the door is equal to every other person who walks in the door. They are all welcome, and they should all be represented in our collection." --Erin SpiveyMarch 4, 2025
"The freedom to read is one of the fundamental pillars of democracy, and today democracy won,” --Erin SpiveyOctober 18, 2023
Choosing books: "That’s going to vary person to person, family to family. There’s no way for our librarians to know what that is going to mean to each individual family.”--Erin SpiveySeptember 5, 2025
"“Today is a good day, the city lost and democracy won," --Erin Spivey