Libraries Might Be Prosecuted?!

(RightIsRight.co) – West Virginia lawmakers are currently weighing the implications of a bill that could significantly impact schools and libraries regarding the materials they provide.

House Bill 4654, under consideration by the House Judiciary Committee, proposes removing criminal liability exemptions for these institutions if they carry books some consider obscene, even when a minor is accompanied by a parent or guardian.

State Code categorizes obscene matter as content depicting or describing sexually explicit conduct, nudity, sex, or certain bodily functions, or anything lacking serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. Under State Code 61-8A-2, adults who display such matter to minors could face felony charges, fines up to $25,000, and up to five years in prison if convicted.

Supporters of the bill, including Jessica Rowley of Wood County and Minister Daniel Curry of the Camden Avenue Church of Christ in Parkersburg, argue for the need to protect children from what they deem obscene content. Rowley cited the book “Let’s Talk About It” by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan as an example found in local schools and libraries. Curry questioned the necessity of such material in educational and public spaces.

The bill’s sponsor, Brandon Steele, R-Raleigh, emphasized the urgency of addressing what he sees as a loophole allowing children access to potentially harmful material, calling it “unlawful felonious conduct outside of the walls of that library or school.”

Carol Miley, a retired librarian, supported the bill, labeling the exposure of minors to certain content as akin to “mind rape or word pornography.”

However, the bill faces significant opposition. Representatives from the West Virginia Library Association and library officials state that libraries serve their communities and argue that parents, not libraries, should regulate what their children read.

Brian Raitz, director of the Parkersburg & Wood County Public Library, highlighted the importance of protecting the freedom to read and the role of parents in guiding their children’s reading choices. Mike Turner, a board member of the Paden City Public Library, stressed that their policies already restrict pornography access to minors and argued against the need for new legislation. Opponents also see the bill as a move to block access to books discussing LGBTQ issues.

Andrew Schneider, executive director of Fairness West Virginia, firmly stated that LGBTQ+ individuals and their stories are not obscene.

The leaders of West Virginia’s teachers’ unions, Fred Albert of the American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia and Dale Lee of the West Virginia Education Association, also voiced their opposition. They expressed concerns about the impact of such legislation on libraries and the potential agenda behind it.

In the middle of all these debates, PEN America’s report noted over 3,300 instances of book bans in public schools and libraries, pointing out the targeted authors are often female, people of color, and/or LGBTQ+ individuals. The report highlights the complex challenges educators and librarians face due to state laws and local pressures.

In contrast, Steve Radabaugh contested PEN America’s findings, suggesting that narratives about massive book banning are exaggerated and should not be trusted.