Ashcroft wants tighter rules on racy public library books
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By SUMMER BALLENTINE
Associated Press
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A top Republican prospect for Missouri governor is trying to block public funding for library books that might appeal to minors’ sexual interests. GOP Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft proposed the new rule on library books this week. The rule would require state-funded libraries to adopt policies on the age-appropriateness of literature, which is already common. The rule also would allow anyone to challenge whether certain books should be offered at publicly funded libraries. Libraries would lose state funding for violating the rule. The Missouri Secretary of State’s Office doles out state funding to public libraries.