’50 Shades of Grey’ ban lifted by Florida library

Florida has lifted its ban on controversial erotic novel “Fifty Shades of Grey," ABC News reported.

Earlier this month, the state's Brevard County Library System pulled copies of the trilogy but said it would immediately restock its 19 copies in response to public demand.

“Fifty Shades of Grey" is the first in a best-selling trilogy by British author E.L. James. The books focus on the sadomasochistic sexual relationship between billionaire Christian Grey and a young college student Anastasia Steele and currently tops the New York Times and Amazon bestseller lists.

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In an interview with The Palm Beach Post in March, Cathy Schweinsberg, the library services director, said "we bought some copies before we realized what it was," according to ABC. "We looked at it, because it’s been called ‘mommy porn’ and ‘soft porn.’ We don’t collect porn.”

Reuters reported the move to take the books off the shelf was also "met with online petitions and outcry from free speech groups like the American Civil Liberties Union."

This week the library responded by reversing its decision. Schweinsberg said in the statement. “We have a long history of standing against censorship and that continues to be a priority for this library system.”

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The book has now sold more than 10 million copies worldwide. The film rights were recently purchased in a bidding war by Universal and Focus Features.