Daniel Boone Regional Library recently issued a statement in opposition of a proposed rule from the Missouri Secretary of State.
Jay Ashcroft submitted rule change 15 CSR 30-200.015 library certification requirement for the protection of minors. The language of the proposed rule states that the state librarian will not distribute funds to any state-funded library that defies the rules written in the rule.
The rule change has six provisions libraries would need to follow, if the rule is passed. The provisions are as follows:
• Libraries must adopt a written and publicly-accessible collection development policy. This would describe how library selections are made in consideration of the approriateness of the book content and maturity level of any minor.
• Libraries will use no funds to purchase or acquire any materials that "appeal to the prurient interest of any minor."
• Libraries must adopt a written and publicly-accessible policy that allows for the parent or guardian of any minor "to determine what materials and access will be available to a minor." No library employees would be allowed to give material in any form to a minor if the material is not pre-approved by the minor's parent or guardian.
• Libraries could not display "age-inappropriate materials" in areas that are predominantly for minors.
• Libraries could not host events or presentations unless "age-appropriate designation" is posted prior to the event.
• Libraries must adopt a written and publicly-accessible "materials challenge policy." This policy would allow for anyone to dispute or challenge a library's ruling on the age-appropriateness of any material. The results of any challenge would then have to be publicly disclosed and published.
The statement issued by the Daniel Boone Regional Library Board of Trustees opposes Ashcroft's proposed rule change. They believe the right to read is an essential aspect of "the intellectual freedom that is basic to democracy," according to the statement.
The board also believes that a child's parent or guardian must be responsible for a child's reading, not the library.
The Daniel Boone Regional Library Board of Trustees issued three resolutions in its statement. The group will continue its commitment to uphold intellectual freedoms and defend that it is the reader's freedom to read. They also resolved that the responsibility falls on the parent or guardian of a child to determine what is appropriate for them to read. The board also resolved that decisions of policy and collection development should continue to be at the local level.
The board of trustees urges the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules to reject 15 CSR 30-200.015.
The official comment period has opened for this proposed rule change. The 30-day comment period began Nov. 15 and will continue util Dec. 15.
The next course of action for the rule change will depend on the public comments received. It could either be reworked based upon feedback, or it could be sent before a bipartisan committee for review.
Daniel Boone Regional Library is not the only group to oppose the proposed change. The Missouri Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee and the Missouri Association of School Librarians both issued statements in opposition.
In a statement issued by Ashcroft in Oct., he said he wants "children to be 'children' a little longer than a pervasive culture many often dictate."
Daniel Boone has four locations across central Missouri: Callaway County Public Library, Holts Summit Public Library, Columbia Public Library and Southern Boone County Public Library.
Comments in support or opposition can be mailed to the Office of the Missouri Secretary of State (P.O. Box 1767, Jefferson City, MO 65102) or emailed to [email protected]. 15 CSR 30-200.015 must be in the subject line of the email. No public hearing is scheduled for this rule change.