Three school librarians in Granbury, Texas could possibly face felony charges for books that have reportedly been deemed inappropriate for children.
A recent report obtained by NBC News and NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth reveals that London spent two years trying to bring criminal charges against librarians in the Granbury Independent School District for providing books on race, gender, and sexuality. London went as far as obtaining subpoenas, requesting public records, and collecting the names of students who borrowed certain books. After a year of investigating, draft criminal complaints were written.
The three librarians from the Granbury Independent School District are not being named by NBC News as they were never actually charged with a crime. None of the librarians agreed to be interviewed, and Granbury Superintendent Jeremy Glenn declined to provide a comment.
{snip}
The investigative file from London provides the most comprehensive and vivid account yet of an effort to prosecute librarians in the midst of a broader conservative movement to limit children’s access to books featuring sexual content and LGBTQ individuals.
While London was conducting his investigation, 18 states were in the process of considering bills that would simplify the prosecution of librarians over controversial books. Of these states, Missouri, Indiana, and Arkansas passed such laws, although Arkansas’ implementation is currently on hold due to a lawsuit filed by a coalition of libraries. Instances have been reported of parents and conservative activists in Florida, Missouri, South Carolina, and other locations calling upon police and sheriff’s deputies to examine library materials. However, organizations advocating for free speech and librarian groups state that they are not aware of any librarian or school official being charged specifically in relation to books.
{snip}
In one video, a middle school librarian is seen leaning over a book check-out counter, her hands clasped near her mouth, while London explains the legal grounds for his inquiry. Colorful decorations and a quote from Dr. Seuss adorn the wall behind the librarian, reading: “The more things you read, the more things you will know.”
“There’s been an allegation of books that were in conflict of the penal code in the library,” London tells the librarian, “and so that’s what I’m looking into.”
* Original Article:
https://hollywoodunlocked.com/texas-librarians-facing-possibly-charges-books/amp/?utm_source=SmartNews&utm_medium=contentsyndication&utm_campaign=always_on
