A growing number of state-level bills are actively undermining privacy and limiting access to books for young people. These laws, already enacted in states like New Hampshire and proposed in others like Iowa, mark a deliberate shift toward increased parental control over library records and content, with broader implications for the future of public libraries.
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The Trend: Erosion of Privacy and Control
Recent legislation in New Hampshire now makes minors’ library records accessible to parents, effectively stripping away long-held privacy protections. In Iowa, lawmakers are pushing for segregated library sections where youth access to certain books would require explicit parental consent. This trend, mirrored in countries like the UK, Bangladesh, Brazil, and Hungary, represents a concerted effort to regulate what young people read.
The American Library Association (ALA) is tracking these bills, noting a pattern of sowing distrust in educational institutions. According to ALA President Sam Helmick, the strategy involves questioning the reliability of school boards, teachers, and librarians to justify increased surveillance. This then extends to undermining funding for both public and academic libraries.
A Pattern of Distrust and Dismantling
The underlying motive appears to be a systematic dismantling of institutions that promote open access to information. Helmick explains that the bills exploit parental concerns while simultaneously working to eliminate trust in educators and librarians.
“The trend is we talk about school libraries and ask, ‘Can we trust our school boards? Can we trust our teacher associations? Can we trust our librarians? Shouldn’t we really be examining more heavily what’s happening in a school library, and then if you want certain materials, you can go to the public library?’”
The ultimate goal is not merely parental control, but the erosion of public institutions that champion intellectual freedom.
Case Study: Idaho’s Controversial Law
Idaho was the first state to pass the Children’s School and Library Protection Act (House Bill 710), a law so vague that it has been challenged in court. The law encourages citizen-driven complaints leading to civil damages and lawsuits for libraries that do not comply with removal demands.
Sherry Scheline, director of the Donnelly Public Library in Idaho, has personally experienced this backlash. Despite the books in question not even being on the shelves, she was targeted by a local resident and a state representative demanding the removal of titles like Gender Queer, Sex Is a Funny Word, and It’s Perfectly Normal.
The law is designed to create a climate of fear among librarians, who operate on limited budgets and are especially vulnerable in rural areas.
The Real Impact: Pushing Teens Toward Unverified Sources
The bills primarily target books dealing with sexuality, particularly homosexuality, which are also among the most sought-after titles by young people seeking information. By restricting library access, these laws force teens to seek answers elsewhere, often in unverified online spaces.
Helmick argues that the focus on libraries ignores the broader issue of unrestricted internet access. “If this was really about protecting children from ideas, we would be talking about ISPs and screen time,” they say. The bills appear less about protecting youth and more about suppressing intellectual curiosity and independence.
The true aim of these bills may be to stifle confidence, autonomy, and critical thinking among young people by restricting their access to curated, well-vetted information.
Libraries Are Under Attack
The escalating legislative attacks on libraries represent a dangerous trend toward censorship and control. The laws are not simply about parental rights; they are about undermining the fundamental principles of open access to information.
The best defense against this trend is active support for local libraries. As Helmick advises, “The best way to advocate for your library is to use it. Get that library card, go through the stacks. Your library is yours.”
