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Show I r I ? 1 -J, j , I I d'-'n-i- 'mi-"'", iiii iin i wwnJ The controversial book "Grendel" has become the subject of what some are calling an attempt at book banning in Davis County. Some Viewmont High School parents have objected to the use of the book in the classroom and have petitioned the Davis County School District to have it banished from school curriculum. Opponents of the book are calling it "filth." In response, other parents are asking the District to keep the book, saying it is "harmless." Book banning feud not a first for Davis County By JUDY JENSEN Asst Managing Editor BOUNTIFUL Book banning is not new for Davis County. A heated battle between a librarian and a county commissioner in 1 979 over the book "Americana" raged all the way to federal court The book, written by Don OeLillo, was described by then Commissioner Morris Swapp as "rotten filth." And he took it upon himself to get the book removed from Davis County libraries, a feat which he ultimately accomplished by checking out the only copy of the book and refusing to return it He did so after then Davis County Library Director Jeanne Layton refused to remove the book from the shelves, stating it had passed the library review board's scrutiny after a Bountiful resident had questioned the book's content As the battle raged, the terms of two of the five library board members expired. Swapp, who was a member of the board, lobbied the other commissioners to appoint new members "who were of like mind and on a 3-2 vote they fired me,' ' said Layton. Layton protested and was granted a hearing before the Davis County Merit Board, now the Career Service J Council. ' "That board found no reason for me to have been fired, but they didn't reinstate me," Layton said. She then filed suit in federal court. She won the case and three months later was reinstated. Layton, who retired in December 1990 after 31 years of library service, said the "Americana"incident ended Swapp's political career. "Swapp was up for reelection that year, but he didn't win at convention," she said. Swapp agreed. Now retired and living in St George, he said in a telephone interview Friday the Americana issue "undoubtedly changed my political career." He said he doesn't think the people understood the book. "I don't think know how terrible it was. I tried to read it on television to prove my point, but the stations wouldn't let me," Swapp said. "When you get the ACLU involved you might as well quit," he added. Swapp said it was the American Civil Liberties Union that fought for Layton in the lawsuit He said he has gone over his failed political campaign cam-paign "a hundred times. I think I didn't handle it right I think my motives were misunderstood. People thought I was being ridiculous and a fanatic." Swapp said he believes the fight was worth it "At least my conscience is clear," he said Although it may have cost him political career, Swapp did win a small victory. The book 'Americana" has never again been available in Davis County libraries. "As far as 1 know the' boolls" banned from our libraries," said Davis, County Library Director Peter Giacbma. ' "' ' i - - |