TOPEKA, Kan. — Access to four books about sex, including The Lesbian Kama Sutra, will be restricted at the city's public library after a woman complained about their being available on the shelves with other health books.

The library's Board of Trustees voted on Feb. 19 to prevent minors from having access to the books after reviewing the complaint. Topeka resident Kim Borchers called the books "harmful to minors."

The staff of the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library must now develop a plan for handling the books. The other three titles are The Joy of Sex, The Joy of Gay Sex and Sex for Busy People: The Art of the Quickie for Lovers on the Go.

Borchers, who leads a group called Kansans for Common Sense Policy, contends the books would be considered harmful under a law against promoting obscenity to minors.

"I am grateful that a board is responsive to their community," she told The Topeka Capital-Journal. "I think this is a great day for minors in the community. I think this speaks volumes."

Seven library trustees are appointed by Topeka's mayor, and one of those positions is vacant. An additional three trustees are appointed by Shawnee County commissioners.

The board's vote was 5-3. Chairwoman Kerry Onstott Storey, who did not vote, said she was shocked and disappointed. Board member Michele Henry, who voted against the restriction, was in tears.

"I can hardly sit here," she said, her voice trailing off. "I am sickened to be a part of something like this."

Pedro Irigonegary, a Topeka attorney who attended the trustees' meeting, said he already had been approached by people who wanted to file a lawsuit.

"It really disturbs me greatly that our community has taken a step backward," he said. "These individuals who voted should be ashamed of themselves. Our community deserves much better than this."

In a letter presented to the board, Gina Millsap, the library's executive director, said the library’s collection has more than 600 books relating to sex, sex instruction, sexual behavior and fertility.

"Will staff be expected to review all of these titles and assign some or all of them to a restricted collection?" Millsap wrote.

But Borchers said she did not plan to challenge more books.

"This is sexually graphic material. It is harmful to minors," she said. "I'm not going to apologize for this."