VOA教育报道2024--Lawmakers Aim to Bar Restrictions on Books at Public Libraries

Minnesota is one of several states where lawmakers are considering laws to make it harder for people to get books removed from public libraries.

The Washington and Maryland state legislatures have already passed laws this year, while Illinois did so last year.

The American Library Association says over 4,200 books in school and public libraries were targeted with restrictions¹ in 2023. That is an increase from about 2,600 books in 2022.

In 2023, 47 percent of books that were challenged by members of the public had racial or sexual² subject matter that was termed LGBTQ+.

Restrictions on books have increased in some states. Librarians and administrators³ in states with restrictions worry about fines, legal action, and prison sentences if they provide books that the public considers inappropriate.

This year, lawmakers in more than 15 states have introduced bills that place restrictions on libraries and punishment for breaking rules.

Some parents and activists⁴ object to books containing strong sexual subjects being bought and lent by public libraries and public school libraries. They say such material is inappropriate, especially for young readers. National groups such as Moms for Liberty say parents have the right to prevent their children from seeing material that they consider bad.

EveryLibrary is a political action group for libraries, which aims to fight restrictions. EveryLibrary says several states are considering different bans on restricting books. States considering such bans include California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.

However, "bans on book bans" appear unlikely to pass in states where they have little public support. One bill failed in New Mexico this year for example.

A law barring restrictions on books is awaiting Maryland Governor Wes Moore's signature. Washington State Governor Jay Inslee signed a bill that makes it more difficult to remove books the public finds offensive⁵. That includes material that deals with race and LGBTQ+ ideas. A bill is being considered in New Jersey⁶ that would protect librarians from civil or criminal responsibility for the materials they put in public libraries.

Some proposals are called "Freedom to Read" acts.

Martha Hickson is a librarian at North Hunterdon High School in New Jersey. She said freedom to read is important. She said reading is voluntary. She added, "Students can choose to read, not read, or totally ignore everything in this library."

At a U.S. House of Representatives hearing last month, speakers said books by LGBTQ+ and minority writers are among the books banned most often. At the hearing, Karlton Laster of the group OutFront Minnesota, an LGBTQ+ rights group, identified himself as Black and LGBTQ+. Laster said LGBTQ+ books helped him "communicate" his "feelings and truths."

However, Republican⁷ lawmakers in Minnesota have argued that instead of worrying about book bans, they should pay attention to reading performance. Under half of public school students can read at grade level in Minnesota.

Republican Representative Patricia Mueller is a teacher from the town of Austin. She said, "Every book is banned for a child that doesn't know how to read."

Words in This Story

challenge - v. to say or show that (something) may not be true, correct, or legal

inappropriate - adj. not right or suited for some purpose or situation

library - n. a place where books, magazines, and other materials (such as videos and musical recordings) are available for people to use or borrow

grade - n. a level of study that is completed by a student in one school year

1 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

2 sexual   

adj.性的，两性的，性别的

参考例句：

• He was a person of gross sexual appetites.他是个性欲旺盛的人。
• It is socially irresponsible to refuse young people advice on sexual matters.拒绝向年轻人提供性方面的建议是对社会不负责任。

3 administrators   

n.管理者( administrator的名词复数 )；有管理（或行政）才能的人；（由遗嘱检验法庭指定的）遗产管理人；奉派暂管主教教区的牧师

参考例句：

• He had administrators under him but took the crucial decisions himself. 他手下有管理人员，但重要的决策仍由他自己来做。 来自辞典例句
• Administrators have their own methods of social intercourse. 办行政的人有他们的社交方式。 来自汉英文学 - 围城

4 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 offensive   

adj.令人不快的，侮辱的，攻击用的；n.进攻

参考例句：

• His mode of doing business is offensive to me.他干事情的方式叫我很不喜欢。
• If all else fails,I will take the offensive.如果其他方法不行，我将采取攻势。

6 jersey   

n.运动衫

参考例句：

• He wears a cotton jersey when he plays football.他穿运动衫踢足球。
• They were dressed alike in blue jersey and knickers.他们穿着一致，都是蓝色的运动衫和灯笼短裤。

7 republican   

n.拥护共和政体的人； adj.共和政体的，（Republican）共和党人，（Republican）共和党的

参考例句：

• Some families have been republican for generations.有些家庭世代都支持共和党。
• A third candidate has entered the contest for the Republican nomination.第三个候选人已经加入角逐共和党提名的行列。