Louisiana Citizens Against Censorship

So, we are cutting back library hours - actually closing an entire day on the weekend - in order to open another library?  Brilliant. We can't keep the ones we have open but let's build more? Does this make sense to anyone? (Facebook - in reference to proposed new NE library)

That starts by getting back to the basics and ridding our schools of the woke politics and indoctrination that activists have thrust upon our kids.

I am concerned that there have been more concerted efforts focused on banning books in schools/school libraries rather than addressing ways to improve student literacy rates in our state and ensure we are setting kids up for success with critical inquiry and dialogue. Books can be a lifeline for many students in schools. Again, Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop’s models of books as mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors reminds us that books are a way to have representations of ourselves, our experiences, and our cultures as well as learn about people and communities who are different from us. Having an array of different books by authors of different backgrounds helps students get excited about reading. Additionally, as a member of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and someone who has a Master’s degree in English literature, I believe both librarians and English/humanities teachers have qualifications to select books for their classes. I support structures at schools where teachers and librarians explain the criteria and the procedures they used in selecting books and where we give students the right to self-select books they want to read from classroom or school libraries. (From La-CAC Candidate Survey)

Hollis said his intention was to introduce more accountability for library boards, as he believes there is currently too little accountability after a board member is appointed for a five-year term.

“When you start making too many missteps, you’re going to be called on the carpet so to speak,” Hollis said.

Negative national news reports about the Lafayette Parish public library system, such as prohibiting book displays on Pride Month, as well as contentious board meetings are the fault of residents, not the library board, a Parish Council member said Tuesday.

The comments by council member Josh Carlson came after the council failed to muster three votes for one of 10 applicants to fill a vacancy on the volunteer library board.

Rubin and Parish Council District 5 opponent Clyde Gabriel, both Democrats, favor building a new Northeast Regional Library.

Rubin and Parish Council District 5 opponent Clyde Gabriel, both Democrats, favor building a new Northeast Regional Library.

Professional librarians with advanced degrees are best able to determine which books and other items should be in the library, Monts said. Books targeted recently should not be removed, he said.

It’s the job of parents to keep books away from their children, not the library’s job, Hughes said.

Rep. Barbara Freiberg, a Baton Rouge Republican, said, “there's a lot of confusion on the part of librarians and libraries throughout the state. I would hope that you could guarantee us that if this bill passes that, we'll send some clarifying documents to the libraries,” Freiberg said. Emerson did not respond to Freiberg and instead asked to waive questions after nearly 50 minutes of debate. Freiberg voted for the bill anyway. 

Rep. Mandie Landry, a New Orleans Democrat and lawyer, said on June 6 that having different lists of restricted materials in each parish could raise constitutional issues. Several library bills in other states have been challenged in court.

"These books are designed for adults and so they should be in the adult section. That’s all we’re asking the library to do. We’re not asking the library to censor or to ban or to remove them. We’re simply saying to put them in the correct section of the library which is the adult section."

“Simply put, my bill is an attempt to protect our most innocent from indoctrination of any kind."

Emerson compared the proposed new rules to being denied entry into R-rated movies when she was growing up.

Rep. Richard Nelson, R-Mandeville, another gubernatorial contender, said nearly half of students cannot read proficiently.

"That is the issue we should be focused on," Nelson said.

"There are only XX and XY chromosomes. The woke agenda infiltration does NOT have a home here in Louisiana." 

Local activists like Manuel said community boards aren’t qualified to decide whether or not books should be removed. They worry “it might not consist of a diverse group of residents who represent the parish as a whole,” adding that “book acquisition is the librarian’s job.” 

Facebook Post 11/9/22: "My message to citizens who gathered in Slidell to express their views on controversial library books in St. Tammany: Parents should choose what their children read in school and in the library."

"It is about protecting the innocence of children and giving parents a say in what content they are exposed to," Landry told reporters.