Arkansas ‘has introduced ‘s legislation 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 broad. It applies each to public college 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 coated public libraries. How the invoice began–a sturdy 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 college and public libraries. What handed coated solely public libraries.
This 12 months, Senators are going again in hopes to guard 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 information, 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.
Connecticut – Senate Invoice 523 (“Don’t Ban Books” Regulation)
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 who met an inventory of standards, together with insurance policies associated to not banning books.
This 12 months, the state is pushing for a fair 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 cross their very own anti-book ban invoice, however it didn’t progress throughout the legislative session. The primary two payments, SD 141 and HD 625, every known as “An Act Regarding Free Expression” search the identical end result 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 an identical theme or thought to be filed for a session–and in instances like this, it’ll 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 do not forget that New Mexico proposed an identical 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 should 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 Could, Comrie, Harckham, Hinchey, and Webb
Senate Invoice 1100 launched by Senators Could 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 strong payments.
Senate Invoice 1099 addresses college libraries and is being known as the “Freedom to Read” Act. This is able to allow college librarians and different college library personnel the appropriate 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 strong, 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, however it extra clearly notes that the above-named libraries should undertake the American Library Affiliation’s Library Invoice of Rights or related so as 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 improvement coverage that addresses the whole 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 selections. Crucially, each library should have a course of for the way supplies might be challenged by the general public–do not forget that the appropriate to speech and the appropriate 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 evaluation.
One thing distinctive in HB 6034 is that it requires anybody difficult a ebook to have learn and reviewed the whole 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 college 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 college libraries and public libraries, this New Hampshire invoice would require insurance policies associated to the collections saved at every. It emphasizes the skilled experience of librarians, and it additionally codifies the very 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 college 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 an identical invoice being efficiently handed in New Jersey (and the New Jersey governor has spoken up about Rhode Island’s invoice as nicely).
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 selections 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 college libraries for ideological, political, or discriminatory causes.
This invoice is rather well written, and it does a superb job figuring out the roles and tasks of libraries and library staff. It codifies the Miller Check in it because the prevailing normal for outlining obscenity as nicely. Test this one out if you happen to’re on the lookout for methods to pursue such freedom to learn laws in your state.
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 regulation to take away books in public college 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 appropriate to learn patrons have, and they might must establish the skilled explanation why supplies could also be eliminated (in different phrases, the precise, authentic causes for weeding).
Home Invoice 1051 is targeted on classroom libraries and repeals the “Age Appropriateness Act of 2022.” It could not permit for ebook banning based mostly on political ideology or protected courses, one thing absent within the prior laws (and why we’ve got 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 might and is definitely exploited–however it outlines that background of the creator of the fabric and the content material inside are to not be the rationale for making use of such an ordinary. A powerful level on this invoice, although? If a ebook is challenged on the premise of “age appropriateness,” it can’t be faraway from the classroom whereas being reviewed.
Guide Censorship Information: February 21, 2025
At Fort Campbell, Kentucky, colleges–a part of the Division of Protection Schooling 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 Faculties (FL) will determine what to do with Equivalent 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 completely cited all through this “news” story.
Cy-Truthful Unbiased Faculty District (TX) has torn out complete chapters from textbooks overlaying subjects they disagree with, similar to local weather change. This story says it occurred “quietly,” however we’ve recognized this was occurring because the second it was introduced.
North Gibson Faculties (IN) won’t 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 bound working tougher and tougher.
“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 answerable for a invoice within the state that might permit metropolis administration to fireside library administrators–all of that is, after all, 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 an area ebook banner.
It’s college students who proceed to be the voice of motive right here. In Marblehead Public Faculties (MA), there’s a proposal to ban all flags that aren’t the US, metropolis, state, or MIA/POW flags. College students are preventing again.
Tennessee’s ebook banning regulation 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 Faculties (FL) after one father or mother carried out passages from it at a latest college 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 nicely.
This story is paywalled, however democratic legislators in Virginia are looking for a examine on how expansive ebook bans have been all through the state over the past 4 years.
A brand new regulation 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 won’t 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 career within the nation.
Carroll County Faculties (MD) might eradicate all the librarian positions of their center and excessive colleges subsequent 12 months resulting from “budget cuts.” Recall Maryland has an anti-book ban regulation. This can be a handy technique to proceed circumventing the regulation.
There’s a brand new opening on the library board at Alpena Public Library (MI). That is probably going to go very badly for the library.
16 YA books in Kootenai County’s Group 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 evaluation for consideration. Right here’s what to find out about this library’s methods codification of ebook censorship.
Additionally, right here’s the inner memo from the Group Library Community on how they need to deeply prohibit youngsters and teenage entry with their library playing cards.