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This is Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate where we look into issues regarding Health, Housing, and the Environment that directly impact residents of Monroe County. We are looking into Indiana’s legislation that pertains to education. This week, we look into library censorship, how the legislation came about, what it means for public libraries, and what is being done about it.
Library censorship is especially relevant since this week is Banned Books Week, an annual event that highlights the value of free and open access to information. Banned books week began in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in libraries, bookstores, and schools.
Here in Indiana, House Enrolled Act 1447 is set to take effect on January 1, 2024.
According to Steve Hinnefeld, who wrote the print version of this month’s Deep Dive for the Limestone Post, House Enrolled Act 1447, “prohibits schools from providing students with materials that are obscene or ‘harmful to minors,’ although there’s no evidence that they do. It requires school corporations and charter schools to post online lists of all the books in their libraries and print the lists for those who request them.”
We spoke with the Indiana Library Federation co-chair Victoria Martin to learn more about how the legislation is impacting libraries. You will also hear from Paul Farmer, president of the MCCSC teachers’ union – the Monroe County Education Association.
Tune in next week to hear more about Indiana’s Education Legislation. To read the full article written by Steve Hinnefeld and photography by Garrett Ann Walters, visit Limestone Post Magazine . To submit feedback to WFHB you can email [email protected] or you can leave us a voice mail at 802-552-3483.
