A bill proposed in Missouri would allow panels of parents to determine what reading material is suitable for children, and would punish public libraries and staff who loan children books that are deemed sexually “age-inappropriate.”
The parental review boards, according to the proposed bill, would hold public hearings to take suggestions regarding books that are potentially inappropriate and would have the authority to order the library to keep any such material from children. Any public library that allows children access to those “age-inappropriate sexual materials” would have their taxpayer funding canceled, and librarians who fail or knowingly refuse to comply with the act could face a $500 fine and a maximum one year of jail time.
Although the bill seeks to prevent public libraries from making certain books accessible to children, it does not propose to remove any book from libraries.
“This bill is NOT about banning or censoring books,” Baker wrote. “Instead of being in the children’s section, it would be placed in the adult section. If a parent consented to their child having access, then they could check out the content and provide it to them.”
“Public libraries exist to provide equitable access to information to all of its users, as it is key to having an informed populace,” it added. “Public libraries already have procedures in place to assist patrons in protecting their own children while not infringing upon the rights of other patrons or restricting materials.”