Arkansas has launched laws that mirrors Illinois’s anti-book ban invoice in that it ties a small pool of cash to anti-book ban insurance policies in libraries state extensive. It applies each to public faculty libraries and public libraries statewide.
HB1028 repeals Arkansas Code § 5-27-212, then gives prison protections for library staff and college staff when claims are made that they’ve offered “obscene material.”
Colorado – Senate Invoice 63
Sponsors: Lisa Cutter and Dafna Michaelson Jenet
Final 12 months, Colorado handed an anti-book ban invoice that lined public libraries. How the invoice began—a strong piece of laws that addressed many components of the present ebook and library censorship regime—was not the way it ended. The preliminary invoice addressed each faculty and public libraries. What handed lined solely public libraries.
This 12 months, Senators are going again in hopes of defending public colleges from ebook banning. The invoice requires public colleges have a proper course of for reconsidering books and, if a ebook problem arises, these colleges should comply with the coverage. If there’s no coverage, the problem is null and void. The invoice additionally emphasizes that ebook challenges are open data, one thing that was a court-decided situation in Colorado within the earlier years of this ebook censorship wave
Faculty library staff, volunteers, and contractors could be protected for defending the provision of books of their assortment.
This week, the invoice handed by the Senate.
Connecticut – Senate Invoice 523 (“Don’t Ban Books” Legislation)
Launched by Senate Majority Chief Bob Duff and Senator Ceci Maher
Connecticut handed library protections in a bigger invoice addressing youth wellness in 2023. It opened up a pool of cash for public libraries that met an inventory of standards, together with insurance policies associated to not banning books.
This 12 months, the state is pushing for a good broader suite of protections for libraries—and shocking nobody, the legislators pushing for such protections have already drawn the uneducated ire of Libs of TikTok. The “Don’t Ban Books” invoice would ban ebook bans in public colleges and public libraries, whereas additionally strengthening protections for library staff from prison and civil litigation.
Massachusetts – SD 141 and HD 625 (concurrently filed payments in each legislative our bodies), HD 2779
SD 141 filed by Julian Cyr
HD 625 filed by John Francis Moran and Adam J. Scanlon
HD 2779 filed by Aaron L. Saunders
Final 12 months, Massachusetts tried to move their very own anti-book ban invoice, nevertheless it didn’t progress in the course of the legislative session. The primary two payments, SD 141 and HD 625, every known as “An Act Regarding Free Expression” search the identical consequence as final 12 months’s invoice: books can’t be banned in public colleges or public libraries over political ideology or partisanship. Librarians would discover expanded protections when put within the place to defend the place of books of their assortment.
HD 2779’s language and intent is much like the above. It’s not unusual for multiple invoice with the same theme or concept to be filed for a session—and in circumstances like this, it’s going to doubtless assist assist passage of such a invoice.
New Mexico – Home Invoice 27, the “Librarian Protection Act”
Launched by Kathleen Cates
Chances are you’ll keep in mind that New Mexico proposed the same invoice in 2024, however that invoice died earlier than progressing. This meant that the legislature didn’t get to it, not that it was killed alongside the way in which.
The invoice is again for this legislative session and has already began to progress positively. It addresses public libraries, noting that they will need to have insurance policies aligned with the American Library Affiliation’s Library Invoice of Rights. Public libraries wouldn’t be allowed to ban books based mostly on partisan ideology or based mostly on protected courses.
New York – Senate Invoice 1099, Senate Invoice 1100, and Meeting Invoice 3368
Senate Invoice 1099 launched by Senators Might, Comrie, Harckham, Hinchey, and Webb
Senate Invoice 1100 launched by Senators Might and Comrie
Meeting Invoice 3368 launched by A. Lavine, Levenberg, Seawright, and Simon
It is not uncommon to see a number of related payments filed in each bicameral and unicameral legislatures. That’s the case in New York State, the place a number of payments addressing books and libraries have been launched. It’s doubtless a few of them will likely be mixed to create fewer, extra sturdy payments.
Senate Invoice 1099 addresses faculty libraries and is being known as the “Freedom to Read” Act. This may allow faculty librarians and different faculty library personnel the suitable to curate collections that showcase quite a lot of tales and voices that meet the wants of their college students.
Senate Invoice 1100 is similar to the above, however its focus is on the identical skill to curate sturdy, numerous collections in public libraries, in addition to hospital libraries and qualifying Reservation libraries. Funding these establishments would require having insurance policies in place to guard librarians and their materials picks.
Meeting Invoice 3368 repeats Senate Invoice 1100’s intentions, nevertheless it extra clearly notes that the above-named libraries should undertake the American Library Affiliation’s Library Invoice of Rights or related with a purpose to obtain funding.
Michigan – HB 6034 and HB 6035
HB 6034 launched by Veronica Paiz
HB 6035 launched by Carol Glanville
HB 6024 requires each public library to have a set growth coverage that addresses the complete life cycle of all supplies in its assortment. In different phrases, how supplies are chosen and who selects them, in addition to who can weed supplies and what standards are used to make these choices. Crucially, each library will need to have a course of for the way supplies could be challenged by the general public—keep in mind that the suitable to speech and the suitable to petition needs to be upheld in public libraries, too. The coverage must additionally define when, the place, and the way such reconsideration requests are approached. Not each grievance will likely be met with a proper evaluate.
One thing distinctive in HB 6034 is that it requires anybody difficult a ebook to have learn and reviewed the complete factor earlier than complaining they usually have to be a resident of the library’s service space.
HB 6035 mirrors what’s within the public library invoice however applies it to district libraries all through the state.
These payments don’t apply to public faculty libraries.
New Hampshire – Senate Invoice 208
Sponsored by Senators Altschiller, Fenton, Lengthy, Perkins Kwoka, Rosenwald and Representatives Watters, Selig, Wallner, Balboni, and M. Murray
Relevant to each public faculty libraries and public libraries, this New Hampshire invoice would require insurance policies associated to the collections stored at every. It emphasizes the skilled experience of librarians, and it additionally codifies the actual fact libraries exist to share numerous, inclusive, wide-ranging collections to satisfy the wants of customers.
This invoice would strengthen prison protections for library staff.
Oregon – Senate Invoice 1583
Sponsored by Senator Frederick, Senator Steiner, Senator Gelser Blouin, Senator Jama, Senator Manning Jr, Consultant Nelson, Consultant Sanchez
Issued with a declaration of emergency, this invoice would shield supplies in public faculty libraries and lecture rooms from being banned for discriminatory causes.
Rhode Island – Senate Invoice 238, The “Freedom to Read Act”
Sponsored by Senators McKenney, Bissaillon, Gallo, Gu, Lawson, Tikoian, and Britto
Final 12 months, Rhode Island Senators had a freedom to learn invoice on deck, although it died in committee. This 12 months’s invoice has much more enthusiasm round it, thanks partly to the same invoice being efficiently handed in New Jersey (and the New Jersey governor has spoken up about Rhode Island’s invoice as properly).
Senate Invoice 238 would require all public colleges and public libraries to have a set coverage, outlining the supplies that the library collects and the place and the way they make choices about weeding materials (once more, weeding is an expert responsibility in libraries). Whereas residents could be allowed to problem materials, supplies couldn’t be faraway from public colleges or public faculty libraries for ideological, political, or discriminatory causes.
This invoice is very well written, and it does a superb job figuring out the roles and obligations of libraries and library staff. It codifies the Miller Take a look at because the prevailing commonplace for outlining obscenity as properly. Verify this one out in case you’re on the lookout for methods to pursue such freedom to learn laws in your state.
South Carolina – “Freedom to Read Protections and Respect for School Library Media Specialist Autonomy Act”
This invoice is being launched by Home Consultant Heather Bauer this week. As of writing, there’s little data to share, however keep watch over this one.
In a state the place there’s state-sanctioned ebook banning, partly as a result of underhanded ways utilized by the State Division of Training chief to jam by such a invoice final 12 months, there’s a protracted highway forward right here.
Tennessee – Senate Invoice 701 and Home Invoice 715, twin payments dubbed the “Freedom to Read Act”; Home Invoice 1051
SB 701 was launched by Sara Kyle
Home Invoice 715 was launched by Justin Jones
Home Invoice 1051 was launched by Sam McKenzie
These first two payments, filed collectively because the “Freedom to Read Act,” would make it towards the legislation to take away books in public faculty libraries, in public libraries, and in public establishments of upper training based mostly on political ideology or partisan beliefs. Libraries could be required to have a coverage in place outlining the suitable to learn patrons have, and they might must determine the skilled the explanation why supplies could also be eliminated (in different phrases, the precise, official causes for weeding).
Home Invoice 1051 is targeted on classroom libraries and repeals the “Age Appropriateness Act of 2022.” It might not permit for ebook banning based mostly on political ideology or protected courses, one thing absent within the prior laws (and why we have now seen such wide-ranging, large-sweeping bans in Tennessee colleges). The invoice nonetheless stipulates that books are “age appropriate” when in classroom libraries—one thing that would and is well exploited—nevertheless it outlines that the background of the creator of the fabric and the content material inside are to not be the explanation for making use of such an ordinary. A powerful level on this invoice, although? If a ebook is challenged on the idea of “age appropriateness,” it can’t be faraway from the classroom whereas being reviewed.
E-book Censorship Information: February 21, 2025
At Fort Campbell, Kentucky, colleges—a part of the Division of Protection Training Exercise—cart fulls of books are being faraway from cabinets per directives to rid colleges of most something not about cishet, able-bodied, Christian white males. Goodbye books about slavery and civil rights.
Duval County Public Colleges (FL) will determine what to do with Similar by Ellen Hopkins within the coming weeks. It’s that district’s first problem and was challenged again in fall 2023. Mothers For Liberty is totally cited all through this “news” story.
Cy-Truthful Impartial Faculty District (TX) has torn out whole chapters from textbooks masking matters they disagree with, akin to local weather change. This story says it occurred “quietly,” however we’ve recognized this was taking place because the second it was introduced.
North Gibson Colleges (IN) is not going to be banning Prepared Participant One from freshman English courses.
What college students take into consideration the state-wide ebook bans in South Carolina. Benefit from the quote from one of many committee members who says they’re not banning books however merely “keeping kids away from books.” The doublespeak is certain working more durable and more durable.
“Gindlesperger and other council members said Hyer’s experience serving on the board previously and her work with the nonprofit board that supports the library made them want to select someone else.” No, you learn that proper. The Eagle, Idaho, metropolis council has been denying new appointees to the library’s board for causes like their expertise working in libraries. This is similar metropolis council liable for a invoice within the state that will permit metropolis administration to fireplace library administrators—all of that is, in fact, as a result of the library received’t ban books that metropolis officers are brainwashed to not like.
This story is paywalled, however the determination to not relocate six books within the Columbia County Library (GA) has been appealed by a neighborhood ebook banner.
It’s college students who proceed to be the voice of motive right here. In Marblehead Public Colleges (MA), there’s a proposal to ban all flags that aren’t the US, metropolis, state, or MIA/POW flags. College students are combating again.
Tennessee’s ebook banning legislation has led to 1,400 books being banned. Regardless of an anti-book ban invoice proposal, I’m extra involved that we’re going to see Tennessee pulling a Utah or South Carolina and making a state-sanctioned banned checklist.
The Kite Runner has been banned in Volusia County Public Colleges (FL) after one guardian carried out passages from it at a latest faculty board assembly.
Scottsdale Unified Faculty District (AZ) have banned 16 books after a letter from a conservative native group complained about them. Extra titles have been restricted to be used as properly.
This story is paywalled, however democratic legislators in Virginia are looking for a research on how expansive ebook bans have been all through the state over the past 4 years.
A brand new legislation in California requires that each ebook banned in prisons throughout the state be documented. You’ll be able to examine that—in addition to the checklist of banned books in prisons—over right here.
The Arkansas State Library Board is not going to reject any affiliation with the American Library Affiliation as a result of…I can’t imagine we’re nonetheless debating this a few years on that librarians have an expert affiliation like practically each different rattling occupation within the nation.
Carroll County Colleges (MD) might remove all the librarian positions of their center and excessive colleges subsequent 12 months as a result of “budget cuts.” Recall Maryland has an anti-book ban legislation. This can be a handy method to proceed circumventing the legislation.
There’s a brand new opening on the library board at Alpena Public Library (MI). That is presumably going to go very badly for the library.
16 YA books in Kootenai County’s Neighborhood Library Community (ID) will likely be relocated into their new adults solely room. Assured that is simply the primary 16. They’ve 125+ extra titles to evaluate for consideration. Right here’s what to learn about this library’s methods codification of ebook censorship.
Additionally, right here’s the inner memo from the Neighborhood Library Community on how they need to deeply limit youngsters and teenage entry with their library playing cards.
In New Hampshire this week, “The Senate heard two proposals Tuesday for schools to handle parents’ complaints about allegedly objectionable materials in public school classrooms or libraries. One sets up a committee to review complaints asking to remove material from school libraries and to make recommendations with the final decisions left to the local school board. The other sets up a process that opponents said is overly broad and lacks well-articulated standards, but the prime sponsor said would ensure the rights of parents to object to material in public schools without being demonized or shamed.” Would you like due course of or would you like us to only let you know what to do? Bear in mind, when choices like this are offered, it’s an indication IT’S ALL A MADE UP PROBLEM.
The ebook banning legislator in Arkansas needs to take away the diploma requirement for library administrators. This opens the door extensive for unqualified politically-advantageous of us to be put in positions of energy in libraries, in addition to devalues and undermines librarianship as a occupation. An identical invoice handed in Louisiana final 12 months.
The New York Civil Liberties Union is planning to become involved in a lawsuit associated to a pastor who has been attempting to get books faraway from Clyde-Savannah Colleges.
Extra time was spent highlighting how Julianne Moore’s ebook was banned by the Division of Protection Training Exercise colleges than anything this week and that’s not nice, in fact. Nevertheless it was additionally largely books by or about individuals of shade and/or queer of us who have been impacted. This has among the different books particularly pulled throughout this bout of censorship.
Bear in mind the Minnesota faculty that determined to make use of Mothers For Liberty’s unprofessional evaluate web site BookLooks to make ebook ban choices? There are calls to revisit this new coverage, as there needs to be.
South Dakota’s proposed invoice to criminalize librarians has continued to maneuver ahead.
On E-book Riot this week, Iowa rushes and advances a invoice that will criminalize librarians (and whereas that was taking place this week, they drafted an much more brutal librarian criminalization invoice) and Indiana proposes reducing the favored Dolly Parton Creativeness Library program from their price range.