DBRL workers’ union on Ashcroft rule: Parents should decide what books their children read
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Daniel Boone Regional Library Workers United – a recently formed union for workers at DNRL -- held a press conference in Columbia on Tuesday opposing a proposed rule outlining what books Missouri libraries can offer to children.
“This rule is wrought with concerns and is bound to create more problems than solutions,” Kathy Steinhoff, the Missouri State Representative in the 45th District said during the conference. “Limiting access to materials that are subjectively deemed inappropriate or offensive is a dangerous and slippery slope. History should serve us well in its implications.”
The rule was proposed by Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft last month. The rule, 15 CSR 30-200.015, says any library receiving state funding through the secretary of state's office can not buy any books considered "inappropriate" with state money.
Libraries would also be required to give a written policy on how they plan to decide which books are age-appropriate for children, and how they’d keep the inappropriate ones off the youth shelves. Parents would also be able to challenge books.
Speakers at the conference argued the rule takes control from local libraries and that parents should decide what their children can read.
“Those kids are the future of our community and they are reading to prepare themselves for the world,” said Dakota Hommes, who is an executive board member of DBRLWU. “I think we should let parents do the parenting for their kids. I don't think we need the Secretary of State to do it for them.”
Other organizations have spoken out against the rule too.
The DBRL Board of Trustees issued a resolution on Monday opposing the rule.
The Missouri Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee released a statement in October saying that the proposed rule is a solution in search of a problem. And that some of the rule’s requirements are already being practiced in libraries.
Unite Against BookBans, an American Library Association initiative, is a state partner for Missouri. They’ve recorded over 1,600 books being challenged this year alone. The total number of book challenges in 2022 is set to exceed the 2021 record.
While the rule was added to the Missouri Register today, there’s a 30-day period for public comment before it can be finalized.
Those interested in submitting public comments can send them to the Secretary of State’s office through email at comments@sos.mo.gov or by mail to the Office of the Missouri Secretary of State, P.O. Box 1767, Jefferson City, MO 65102.
The Secretary of State did not immediately respond for comment.
