Somerset County Book Media Policy 500-19 Has Nothing to Do with Banning Harry Potter After All

After the first post on the Somerset Education Association (SEA) Facebook page by Media Specialist and President of the SEA, Phaedra Spencer, on July 11, 2026, claiming that her employer, Somerset County Public Schools, was banning Harry Potter, The Diary of Anne Frank, and To Kill a Mockingbird, much has come to light.

Somerset County Policy 500-19 has nothing to do with banning Harry Potter or any other books after all, since the Board of Education just approved more than 1,000 titles on June 24, 2026, that the SEA Media Specialist and her committee selected.

The policy addresses whether the Board can properly catalog books on library shelves.

The Board's policy specifically states that no books may be removed from a school library without an open and transparent vote by the Board.

The issue is this:

If Media Specialists have MIXED adult pornographic material with Harry Potter, The Diary of Anne Frank, and other classics, then the public will not easily know what is contained under the “young adult” classification.

That is why the children are classified as "young adults".

The Somerset County Board policy 500-19 classification of minors and adult material clearly points to suitable books for minors and adult pornography available for 18+ Adults.

Separating and classifying books between literature for teens and calling them "young adults" creates a mirage for educationally suitable books versus hardcore pornography.

Placing adult pornography on 18+ shelves discloses to parents and the public what the "experts" in education used taxpayer funds to purchase.

By following SCBOE Policy 500-19, parents may find themselves shocked to see what prior Boards and school officials approved for purchase.

Properly placing pornographic books on shelves designated for ages 18 and older could expose the SEA for promoting a political agenda cloaked in and mixed with books intended for teens.

Fellows & Editors

September 2, 2026. Copyright DelmarvaPTC.org 

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