This bill would require each local board of education to adopt a policy: (i) prohibiting the possession, acquisition, or purchase of library materials that are harmful to minors; (ii) requiring the local board to approve any library material before it may be placed in a school library catalog in the district; and (iii) allowing parents to access school library catalogs and the library records of their child. This bill would require each local board of education to establish a local school library advisory council and consider its recommendations relating to the acquisition of library materials and school library policies. This bill would establish a mechanism for parents, employees of the local board of education, or residents of the school district to challenge the appropriateness of library materials, and would require the challenged material to be permanently removed if the board approves the challenge. This bill would allow parents to submit a list of library materials that their child may not check out from the school library. This bill would also authorize the State Board of Education to adopt rules.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 13A-12-200