It just became more dangerous for a librarian to check out a book to a child in Idaho. On July 1, House Bill 710 went into effect in the state, undermining the agency of library workers to build collections that meet the needs of their communities. The legislation targets “harmful materials” in public and school libraries, requiring library workers to move them within 60 days at the request of any minor, parent or legal guardian — community member or not, library patron or not — or risk a $250 fine and threats of lawsuits.

In Idaho, strict compliance with the definition of “harmful materials” would include any discussion of homosexuality. The term has also been weaponized against any depiction of human sexuality, including masturbation.

The Idaho Family Policy Center has been a major organizing force behind the legislation. The center was founded in 2021 and is focused on “promoting God-honoring public policy.” While the right-wing proponents of the law argue that they’re trying to make libraries “safer” for children, librarians say the law addresses a problem that doesn’t exist while producing intolerable working conditions that have more than half of librarians looking........

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