The New Orleans Public Library (NOPL) will automatically start restricting minors’ access to certain library materials on May 30, unless their parent or guardian visits a library location in person to opt-out.
That’s because of a law the Louisiana Legislature passed last year requiring the local library systems in the state to create policies that let parents select library cards that prevent their children from “checking out items that the community says are inappropriate.” If not, the library would lose funding.
The system NOPL came up with features four options for adult guardians to select for their children:
Option 1: All Library materials
Option 2: Library materials except physical materials that the Library Board has deemed sexually explicit, as defined by state law
Option 3: Library materials except physical materials that the Library Board has deemed sexually explicit, as defined by state law, and all digital materials that are available for checkout
Option 4: Library materials except for all digital materials that are available for checkout
NOPL says physical material refers to books, movies and CDs. Digital materials include e-books, audiobooks, streaming music and streaming video, which cardholders can access through library apps.
“This transition is a big one for our youth library cardholders,” Heather Riley, director of public services, said in a news release today. “We understand that it may be confusing, but the library is prepared to help our patrons make the best decisions for their families.”
An NOPL spokesperson told Gambit that 29,626 cardholders in New Orleans are 17 and younger.
The law taking effect is part of an ongoing nationwide effort by far-right politicians to limit material they say is “sexually explicit” from being accessed at public libraries. In practice, however, that’s often meant attempts to challenge and ban books about LGBTQ people and race.
Free speech advocates and educators have argued that censoring information in public libraries sets a dangerous precedent and burdens library workers and boards that oversee them.
NOPL also says it already “organizes materials by subject and in age-appropriate sections including children's and young adult areas” and that librarians do not include adult materials in the children’s section.
NOPL also has other systems in place according to a 24-year-old federal law to prevent young people from accessing inappropriate material when using its computers, including software that blocks certain websites. It also already requires children under 12 to be accompanied by an adult when using a computer without a filter.
“We hope that these changes spark conversations between adults and the youth in their care about what media is appropriate for them to read, watch and consume,” said Emily Painton, the library’s executive director and city librarian in a statement.
For more information on the New Orleans Public Library’s policies, visit nolalibrary.org/policies. For more information on the changes to youth cards, ask a librarian at ask.nolalibrary.org.
