Report: “Ultra-Conservative Lawmakers Target Louisiana Libraries as Culture War Rages On”

From the Louisiana Illuminator:

With veto-proof majorities in both legislative chambers and the backing of a new governor, some Louisiana Republicans are taking aim at public libraries with legislation that could criminalize librarians.

Four conservative lawmakers have filed five bills that play off the library culture war currently raging across the nation, including in Louisiana.

Upset with what they view as sexually explicit materials in libraries and the “Marxist” American Library Association, far-right activists have filed thousands of book challenges in the past few years and pushed libraries to disaffiliate with the ALA. In Louisiana, public library oversight boards have mostly resisted calls to restrict book content, but some, including the State Library, have ended their ALA memberships.

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Three bills filed could lead to criminal punishment for librarians.

House Bill 777 by Rep. Kellee Dickerson, R-Denham Springs, would prohibit any public employee from spending public funds with the American Library Association. Anyone who does would be subject to up to two years in prison or a fine of up to $1,000.

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House Bill 414, by Rep Josh Carlson, R-Lafayette, and House Bill 545 by Rep. Beryl Amedee, R-Houma, would remove exceptions for public libraries and school libraries, respectively, from the state law on obscenity

Learn More, Read the Complete Article (about 750 words)

UPDATE: April 3, 2024   Louisiana HB 777 Would Criminalize Librarians and Libraries Who Join the American Library Association (via Book Riot)

UPDATE April 2, 2024 EveryLibrary Statement on Louisiana HB777, the Anti-ALA Bill (via EveryLibrary)

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