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SDPL Retains Art Books
Involved in Child Pornography Ruling

A San Diego Public Library staff review committee announced May 5 that it did not consider States of Grace by Graham Ovenden and 25 Years As an Artist by David Hamilton to contain child pornography. The committee was formed to reexamine the two art books in the wake of an April 19 San Diego Superior Court ruling that photocopies made by convicted pedophile Charles Davis of three images in the books were, according to Judge Willliam Kennedy, “not for art’s sake but for sexual purposes.”

An SDPL statement characterized Ovenden and Hamilton as “contemporary and historically important photographers” whose work is “culturally and artistically significant” and within the library’s collection-development guidelines. The statement added that the court has emphasized that the ruling is not directed at the books themselves or at the library for making them available.

“We have worked diligently to resolve this situation, and we have appreciated the public’s support,” SDPL Director Anna Tatar remarked.

Posted May 15, 2000.

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SDPL Retains Art Books
Involved in Child Pornography Ruling