Frederick County Commissioners are drawing a new line when it comes to English-only measures -- a ban on Spanish-language audio books.

The decision was triggered by the library system's routine request for $411,000 to buy new audio books.

The so-called books-on-tape, or, more accurately, books-on-CD, are popular in the commuter haven, where long trips down Interstate 270 offer plenty of time to listen.

The purchase order request sparked a debate about whether audio books should be offered in any language but English. Two commissioners said no, making for a new policy. There is an exemption for education-related books.

"To purchase books in another language is to draw the line, and we draw the line at English," said Frederick County Commissioner John L. Thompson.

"This caught us a bit by surprise," said libraries spokeswoman Elizabeth Cromwell, who said she'd never heard complaints about the language of audio books. Cromwell said the total cost of audio books in foreign languages last year was less than $250 for 70 audio books; most were for children.

Jan Gardner, the Frederick County Board of Commissioners President, said she plans for the board to revisit the audio book issue soon, potentially as early as Tuesday.

"Many people think this is approaching banning books," she said. "They think this is outrageous."

But many Frederick County residents support the measure, telling ABC 7/NewsChannel 8 reporter Emily Schmidt, "If you live in America, you should speak English."

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