Board of ed, county commissioners vote to oppose state bill
Two local boards have agreed to oppose legislation drafted to protect against book censorship in public schools and libraries.
Known as the Freedom to Read Act, House Bill 785, cross-filed with Senate Bill 738, makes “funding for certain libraries contingent on adoption of a written policy consistent with the state standards for libraries.” According to Maryland Matters, the bill is part of a “decency agenda” headed by House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones (D-Baltimore County).
If passed, the law would guarantee a book and other materials could not be removed based on an author’s background or viewpoints, and library employees may not be demoted or disciplined for following the state standards developed by the Maryland State Library Agency. Funding may be withheld if a facility is in breach of the agreements.
“This bill makes access the standard and ensures that governing bodies can’t be persuaded to limit access because of a few people. It doesn’t dictate policies, but it does require that policies and procedures are in place and that librarians can’t be penalized for following those policies and procedures,” Brittany Tignor, Stephen Decatur High School librarian and treasurer of the Maryland Association of School Librarians said. “At its simplest, the bill says the state library has principles, the library has policies, the librarian should follow the policies, and librarians can’t face retribution for following policies.”
Local fishwrap (now twice as bad) shows its support for pornography in public schools. According to SDHS librarian, “intellectual freedom” is a right and extends to all ages, especially where lowly rural conservative taxpayers pay the bills.
Just like Nazi prison guards were “just following policies” – educators sure love their policies! @ Ms. Tignor