In the US state of Missouri, a legislative package was introduced in January that would de facto legalize the ban on books “unsuitable” for minors in public libraries. The proposal also threatens librarians with fines of up to one year in prison.
The law, introduced by the conservative Republican Ben Baker in the Missouri House of Representatives, would tighten the rules for promoting libraries. In every public library, for example, a „parents‘ council“ would have to be set up, which alone would decide whether books, CDs, etc. contain „non-age-appropriate sexuality-related material“.
The five-person councils would be appointed with a simple majority at a public event. Librarians could not be explicitly elected, even if they are parishioners.
PEN: „Shockingly Open Trial“
The writers‘ association PEN America spoke of a „shockingly open attempt to introduce a book spell in the state of Missouri“. The law „clearly aims to empower small groups of parents to become censors of public libraries“. Books dealing with issues of sexuality and a positive image of LGBTQ people would be particularly affected by such a law, according to PEN America.
The parent councils would hold public events at which requests to put books on the prohibition list could be put forward. Such books would then be prohibited to minors. Libraries that would continue to allow minors access to such materials would lose public funding. The draft law provides librarians with a fine or imprisonment of up to one year for „deliberate contravention“.
