Radio Program, Listen Online: “Missouri Librarians Express Concern Over ‘Vague’ Language in Ashcroft’s New State Rule”

Missouri Library Association President-elect Kimberly Moeller is the guest.

From St. Louis Public Radio/St. Louis on the Air:

In order to comply with a rule introduced by Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, public libraries in the state now require kids and teenagers as old as 17 to have adult permission in order to obtain a library card.

“What we’re hearing from libraries is a lot of confusion,” said Missouri Library Association President-elect Kimberly Moeller. “The rule is vague enough in its language, so many libraries are attempting to be in compliance by saying, ‘OK, well, our new policy says that, if you agree as a parent for your child to have a library card, it means they have access to everything that the library contains.’”

Jason Kuhl, CEO of the St. Charles City-County Library district, said most of the issues the rule addresses have been in place in public libraries for years.

“I’m going to quote another library director here: ‘This is a solution in search of a problem,’” Kuhl said. “[Libraries] have always had a way to challenge items. We have always been staunch advocates for parental involvement with their kids’ library access.”

The Library Certification Requirement for the Protection of Minors went into effect on May 31. Per the rule, libraries were required to submit a copy of their written policies to the state librarian by July 31.

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Filed under: Libraries, News, Public Libraries