This is the context - an Idaho law that penalizes any library that allows minors access to “inappropriate” content, and lets each child’s parent define what “inappropriate” means. So libraries could be penalized if, for example, a homeschooled Christian child reads a book on biology that mentions evolution or a YA novel with a gay character, and their parents object to it. Or if a liberal parent objects to their child reading the Bible or Quran.
Given the wide scope and uncertain limits of this law, some Idaho libraries are banning minors entirely. As was, I suspect, the goal.
Laws like this are becoming widespread in red states and will likely become federal law with Project 2025.
The United States is becoming a nation where parents’ right to keep their kids stupid and bigoted is more important than children’s right to learn. And if that isn’t a sign of collapse I don’t know what is.
I live in the Tetons (Jackson, WY), where Idaho and Wyoming meet (Wydaho). There are many tiny towns (pop ~2k) in Idaho where the public library is the only place where children can meet or study after school. This law bars access to the space as a whole because they can’t guarantee that they can block access to certain books in specific. I am genuinely heartbroken for the communities in my area.
It’s a totally fucked situation, but I’m glad the libraries are taking the malicious compliance route and standing behind the collections. These laws want them to pull everything ‘controversial’ from the shelves and go on business as usual. Good on them for drawing a line.
Sounds like it’s not even malicious compliance. The definitions are so vague that anything could be considered obscene. Safest bet for librarians there right now is to just exclude children.
Things can overlap a bit. But we all know exactly what type of ‘obscene’ things the hammer is going to come down on. This was a bid to control the content of libraries. If librarians really wanted to play it safe they would just pull the books. You’ve seen pics the boxes of what schools are discarding to comply with similar laws. The politicians don’t want to jail librarians, they want to look like they are fulfilling promises to their base, and sweep away ‘subversive’ ideologies that would undermine their power-grab. They want the trains to run on time, things to feel just normal enough that you won’t go out of your way to question authority.
Banning the under 18 is a bit like setting your house on fire to send a smoke signal. Not normal, and not a thing I think they can honestly sustain. They are burning up a core tenet of libraries:
5. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views
to try and save higher directives:
1. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
2. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
3. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
4. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
Yet another reason I hope Idaho is paying attention and turns out in November.