ICYMI: Making Libraries Off-Limits

I love libraries. As a child, I looked forward to summer trips to the library, bringing home as many books as I was allowed, reading them all, and then waiting impatiently for the next week’s trip to town for more. Reading opened the world to me. 

Now Idaho is making libraries off-limits to kids. A new censorship law threatens to fine individual librarians if minors are “exposed” to books that are deemed objectionable. That’s just about the opposite of common sense. Still, it’s hard to argue with individual librarians who fear being charged and fined if someone under 18 manages to get their hands on a book that the self-styled guardians of public morals condemn.

The law hits smaller libraries especially hard, as they have less staff and less resources to defend against legal challenges. The Idaho Capital Sun reports: 

“The rural [Donnelly Public] library is known for being a community hub — especially for children seeking a place to stay after school as they wait for their parents to get off work, or for a place to stay during winter and summer. 

“But in response to a new Idaho law that took effect July 1, the library is transitioning to adults-only. Under the new rules, library staff won’t let kids in unless a parent is present with them at all times, a parent signs paperwork allowing their child to enter only for programming, or a parent waives their rights under the new law and lets their child check out materials without a parent present.

“’This change is painful, and not what we had hoped for at all,’ library staff wrote in a letter posted on Facebook.” 

On Substack, Kaitlyn Luckow describes her childhood love of libraries:

“The library has always been my safe space. I remember excitedly hopping into my grandma’s car as a child in the summer and driving the two minutes it took to get to the library. Jumping out of the car, I always had my books in hand that I wanted to return for a new batch along with my summer reading program challenge sheet ready to be stamped. I spent hours of my summers at the library, checking out any and all books I could. …

“This not only cuts off minors from having access to books, but also cuts them off from the important resources that libraries provide beyond books. Libraries provide things such as free internet and computers, an absolute necessity for children today as they navigate school. 22% of households with children do not have internet access at home.If these children aren’t able to access free internet at the library, how can we expect them to succeed in our current education system? We can’t.

“Resources that libraries provide depend on the library branch and city, but other resources that libraries provide minors can include: video games and devices, wi-fi hotspots to take home, free online resources to help you with resume writing and language learning tools, classes to help with taxes, and more. 

“Most importantly, libraries offer free shelter and safety for individuals that need it. In fact, it can be argued that libraries are our last free spaces. “

x x x

More information:

Libraries brace for new law restricting ‘harmful’ library materials (Idaho Education News)

Lawsuit challenges library law, calling it ‘wildly unconstitutional’ (Idaho Education News)

As Idaho’s new library law goes into effect, questions remain

(Couer d’Alene/Post Falls Press)

When libraries are forced to close their doors (Substack post by Kaitlin Luckow)

‘We are not getting rid of books’: How libraries across Idaho are implementing new materials law(Idaho Capital Sun)