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The new anti-book-ban law merely puts teeth into longstanding state policy

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Illinois

* There’s an important element missing from this “debate” over the new anti-book-ban law. Let’s start with this Center Square story…

As Illinois implements more requirements on local libraries in order to access state tax dollars, some are questioning whether state government is overstepping its boundaries. […]

“This legislation effectively makes it impossible for local library boards to block pornographic material from their shelves. It strips away local control of libraries and continues the war on families in Illinois,” [ Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich] said.

Um, no. It’s not stripping away anything. The law merely puts teeth into existing public policy. I’ve posted this before, but the official Illinois Public Library Trustee Manual specifically notes that only library directors and their staff should be selecting library materials, not library boards…

The library’s materials selection policy should include these concepts so the public is clear about how materials are selected for the collection:

● Library directors and their delegated staff are responsible for the selection of library materials. Materials selected by them are considered to be selected by the board
● No library material should be excluded based on political or social views
● Patrons are free to reject for themselves materials that they disapprove of, but they must not use self-censorship to restrict the freedom of others
● No materials will be removed from the library except under court order

What this new law does is provide some punishment (denial of state grants) for library boards which defy longstanding policy.

* This objection is also covered by the above policy and is pretty easy to deal with…

State Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich, told The Center Square that the decision on what books are suitable for children should be left up to the parents.

“This measure encroaches on parents’ rights,” Niemerg said. “In my mind, it’s parents that have an obligation to raise their children, not the public education system, not the government.”

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, whose office manages taxpayer-funded grants for libraries, spoke at the bill signing alongside Pritzker in Chicago and said parents still have the final say on what their children will read.

“Parents still have the right and the responsibility to restrict their children, and only their children’s access to library resources,” Giannoulias said. “In other words, you get to decide what’s right for your children, but you don’t get to make that decision for anyone else.”

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 11:43 am

Comments

==you get to decide what’s right for your children, but you don’t get to make that decision for anyone else==

Exactly. You want to have the right to “parent” for everyone. Keep your nose out of my parenting.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 11:49 am
=== you get to decide what’s right for your children, but you don’t get to make that decision for anyone else ===

The book banners are not interested in accuracy.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 12:01 pm
Wrong on the fact and wrong on the politics. Keep up the great work, Rep. Niemerg

Comment by Socially DIstant watcher Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 12:17 pm
It’s the library job to provide all kinds of books.

It is the individual parent’s job to assist their child in picking out appropriate books. Too many parents abdicate that responsibility, and ) or want limited selections so they don’t have to be involved. Which is really hilarious in this digital age where anyone, including young people who can read who can use a smartphone or a tablet can access just about anything online.

The other purpose that physical libraries with actual printed books serve is to serve as a reference to keep the online versions honest. In this digital world, it is way too easy to erase or change anything. Part of the reason I have my personal library of history books.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 12:23 pm
Message to Rep Niemberg: If you dont want your kids to read “Heather has 2 Mommies” but its ok for them to read “Mein Kampf” then this change in law is leaving that decision up to you.

This a Conservative law if by Conservative you mean getting the gub’mint out of your life.

Comment by Jerry Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 12:26 pm
=“This measure encroaches on parents’ rights,” Niemerg said.=

The assumption in this statement is that the majority of parents would be in favor of banning books.

No one is suggesting that parents cede the raising of their children to the public education system (although many do) or government (no evidence of that happening).

If an individual parent does not like the curriculum being taught in public schools I would recommend a private option or home schooling.

Comment by Pundent Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 12:27 pm
==As Illinois implements more requirements on local libraries in order to access state tax dollars,==

Gotta love the way the rascals at the square circle characterize the legislation.

I wonder if they even know about all the additional requirements being put on schools in order to access state dollars being implemented by the Guv in Fla? (They do know some folks down in Fla, don’t they?)

Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 12:38 pm
Pundent nailed it. If parents are so upset, homeschool the kids. That way they’ll have complete control of everything.

Comment by Sir Reel Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 12:49 pm
“…continues the war on families.”
What war? More overly dramatic words from the republican party meant to scare and rile folks.

Comment by Siualum Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 1:01 pm
I am conservative on this issue. A local library board seemingly should have some authority for books. I am generally against censorship, but am concerned with certain Pride books for younger children.

Comment by Southwest Sider Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 1:02 pm
I am generally against censorship, but am concerned with certain Pride books for younger children.

Cool. Then don’t let your kid check out those books.

Comment by The Truth Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 1:21 pm
Southwest Sider: This doesn’t go against what you feel. You are still responsible for the children you were already responsible for. Book banning keeps those of us who don’t share your views from being able to approach the issue as we deem appropriate. In other words, a book ban for a library reduces parental discretion, not enhances it.

Comment by Blitz Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 1:31 pm
==but am concerned with certain Pride books for younger children==

Don’t let your kids read them if you are uncomfortable with those books. Why should you get the right to tell me what my kids can or cannot read?

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 1:37 pm
=I am generally against censorship, but am concerned with certain Pride books for younger children.=

Worry about your kids and your kids only. Get your flippin’ nose out of my kids’ lives

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 1:46 pm
When I began using a library 68 years ago, my mother reviewed the books I wanted to check out. As I aged and was able to go on my own she continued to review the books I brought home and pulled out the ones she thought were too “old” for me. In other words she parented. Time for parents to take the time they are spending protesting about books and use that time to be with their kids and provide effective parenting.

Comment by illinifan Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 1:49 pm
Thank you illinifan. Well said.

@southwest sider: I’m concerned with sexually explicit and violent books like the Bible.

Children should NOT have access to this material.

Comment by Jerry Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 1:55 pm
Republicans say they are pro “parents rights”, although they often intentionally hate, and obviously expel beliefs and desires they do not share from schools. If you have a subsection of parents rights you advocate for exclusively PLEASE JUST ACCEPT IT, and reflect on it.

No need to have this superficial government action debate when one side is not disclosing their root beliefs.

Comment by PRO FREEDOM OF EDUCATION Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 2:00 pm
Those who object to the nudity in Maus are marching in lockstep with those that think “Saving Private Ryan” is obscene and “Schindler’s List” is pornographic.

Comment by Anyone Remember Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 2:00 pm
Niemerg sounds like he was having a different conversation about another topic.

moving along.

@Sir Reel
–That way they’ll have complete control of everything.–

No they won’t. Their point is control over other peoples kids. Can’t do that in homeschool.

That’s the conversation Niemerg is having in his mind, but can’t say out loud - making him sound like he is having a different conversation when he says these things.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 2:01 pm
Reaction formation is a real thing.

Comment by Dotnonymous x Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 2:08 pm
=Their point is control over other peoples kids. Can’t do that in homeschool.=

Their point is the destruction of public education in the United States. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 3:19 pm
I lean center right, and I think Gov. Pritzker did the right thing concerning the book ban. It’s not the government’s job to decide what my child is exposed to. That’s my job. As the parent, with right comes responsibility.

Comment by Fivegreenleaves Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 5:10 pm
== Their point is the destruction of public education in the United States. ==

If you look at the grade level proficiency scores of public schools, only 15% - 20% are actually at grade level. I work at an after school program and see how bad it is for underprivileged kids. The public schools have destroyed themselves.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 8:23 pm
=== A local library board seemingly should have some authority for books.===

For choosing the books, no. Professionals trained in collection development should. And that would be the librarians.

Comment by Leslie K Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 9:10 pm
=I work at an after school program and see how bad it is for underprivileged kids.=

While this can be true it has no correlation to the effort to ban books. And I say this as I’m reading this morning about Ron DeSantis’s going ballistic over an AP psychology class.

Comment by Pundent Friday, Jun 16, 23 @ 8:50 am