“New Mexico Considers Ban on Book Bans, Bucking National Trend

From KUNM:

While many states have considered or passed laws making it easier to remove books from libraries, others have bucked that trend. In New Mexico, some local efforts to remove books have prompted state lawmakers to try to protect librarians from that kind of pressure.

At an Albuquerque public library last month, a small group gathered to talk about book bans. Librarian Garren Hochstetler had put the call out, concerned about the removal of library books in other states, like neighboring Texas.

“I’m hoping we don’t get anywhere near that, and we can stay a place where reading is much more free, that First Amendment guarantee is respected, and people are respected,” he told the group.

He was encouraged by a big turnout at an Albuquerque school board meeting against banning books with LGBTQ content.

Now he is urging support for a bill in the New Mexico Legislature to protect librarians from that kind of pressure. The Librarian Protection Act is sponsored by Rep. Kathleen Cates (D-Rio Rancho).

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Filed under: Libraries, News, Public Libraries