Show-Me Library Crackdown Cont'd

There's a lot about this conversation that feels outdated . . .

For better & mostly worse, youngsters get most of their info from the Internets . . . And most students are experts at bypassing online filters by the time they hit early teens. 

The lists are mostly cringe and valid concern about sketchy content is undermined when we notice that authors like Kurt Vonnegut are being censored.  

Most of this is political theater ahead of midterms . . . Outside of election season public libraries are boring places used mostly by seniors and the homeless.

And so, here's a peek at a recent power move . . .

The rule proposed Monday by Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, a Republican, would withhold state dollars from libraries that do not certify in writing that they will adopt policies to address how “appropriate” book selections are made for readers under 18.

Missouri libraries under the proposed rule would also be required to promise that state funds are not used to acquire materials that appeal to the “prurient interest” of minors and “age-inappropriate” content is not displayed in children’s sections. Libraries receiving state funds are not permitted to host or advertise events or presentations deemed inappropriate for children.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Missouri to require libraries to shield young people from 'inappropriate' content

Missouri libraries that receive state funding will be required to develop and implement measures to shield young readers from "non-age-appropriate" content under a new rule submitted this week by the secretary of state. The rule proposed Monday by Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, a Republican, would withhold state dollars from libraries that do not certify in...