Indiana lawmakers have passed a bill that could potentially make it easier to ban books from public school libraries. The bill requires school libraries to publicly display a list of available books and establish a process for handling complaints from the community. In addition, schools and librarians can no longer use the defense that the books in their libraries have educational value, but can instead argue for their literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.
The bill, which was added to a larger House bill related to student assessments, received swift approval from both the House and Senate. It now awaits the signature of Governor Eric Holcomb.
Supporters of the legislation express concerns about sexually explicit or “pornographic” materials being accessible to children. However, critics argue that the bill could lead to book bans based solely on personal preferences, as well as potential criminal charges against educators who provide such books.
Democratic Senator J.D. Ford, the state’s only openly gay legislator, warns that the bill is a slippery slope that could allow parents to dictate what books other children can read. Republican Representative Becky Cash, on the other hand, insists that the bill is meant to protect schools.
During the debate, Democratic Representative Renee Pack shared her personal experience. Her daughter, Leah Johnson, wrote a book titled “You Should See Me In A Crown,” which was deemed “obscene” by the Oklahoma attorney general’s office. Pack emphasized the importance of representation in literature and the need for young people to feel seen and validated.
The bill passed the Senate with a vote of 39-10. Republican Senator Jim Tomes, the author of the original Senate bill, cited inappropriate books brought to him by parents as the motivation behind the legislation. One such book was “Gender Queer: A Memoir” by Maia Kobabe, which addresses gender and sexuality and has been frequently challenged in recent years.
Attempts to ban or restrict books in libraries have been on the rise, with a record number of incidents reported in 2022, according to the American Library Association. Many complaints stem from conservative individuals and target books with LGBTQIA+ or racial themes.
The bill has sparked a passionate debate about the importance of diverse literature and the potential consequences of limiting access to certain books. Critics argue that these books provide a realistic representation of the challenges faced by marginalized communities.
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Arleigh Rodgers is a journalist with the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit organization that places journalists in local newsrooms to cover underreported issues. You can follow Arleigh on Twitter at https://twitter.com/arleighrodgers.
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