Idaho Public Library Transitions to Only Allow Adults to Use It

Donnelly Public Library located in Donnelly, Idaho, is transitioning to an “adults only” library in the wake of House Bill 710, which the state of Idaho approved in early April. Public libraries in Idaho have until July 1 to comply with the bill, which prohibits certain materials from being given or promoted to minors. 

They've essentially created a book bounty as a system to reward book banners for attempting to ban books.

Under the bill, parents may submit requests to remove books from the children’s sections of Idaho libraries and place them in adults-only sections if they deem them to have content that is inappropriate for children. Once a request is submitted, library workers have 60 days to move the material to a designated adults-only section of the library that is properly equipped to keep minors out. If they fail to comply with the bill, the parent may sue the library in a civil lawsuit resulting in $250 in damages owed by the library to the individual in addition to other fees.

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However, the restrictions of the law are inherently vague and constitute numerous issues for library workers who operate smaller libraries or lack the space - such as a separate room for “adults only material” - to comply with the bill, which is what library officials at the Donnelly Public Library are dealing with. Because of the vague regulations, parents may submit requests to remove materials that include LGBT+ characters, navigate critical race theory, or provide children information about puberty and their bodies. 

In their notice published to social media on May 15, Donnelly Public Library officials announced that the library would become an “adults only” space beginning July 1. At only 1024 square feet, library officials lack the physical space required by HB710 to separate materials deemed by the public as books for adults from books for children. Library officials plan to still offer their cornerstone after-school and summer learning programs though the participants’ parents will need to sign a state-approved waiver before their children can attend. Still, library officials in Donnelly acknowledged the devastating blow HB710 will cause for their community. 

Donnelly Public Library isn’t the only library in Idaho that has had to make drastic changes to comply with the bill. The Larsen-Sant Public Library announced they will be closing their doors to the public beginning May 6 as they navigate the effects of HB710.

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Public libraries serve as hubs of information and safe havens for families no matter the community they represent. Though the Larsen-Sant Public Library is set to reopen on June 3 and the Donnelly Public Library will continue to offer select programming to its community, these examples are indicative of the harmful nature of strict library bills passed around the country. 

Public and school libraries throughout the United States have endured an onslaught of strict rules and regulations that threaten their patrons’ freedoms and rights to information. Idaho isn’t alone. Bills have been proposed in states like Florida, Virginia, California and beyond that aim to restrict the materials and services provided to teens and children. 

While parents have the right to choose what their children do or don’t read, they do not have the right to restrict you and your children’s freedom and right to information. EveryLibrary has tools and resources that you can utilize, including our Fight For the First platform. Start your own campaign and support others today: https://www.fightforthefirst.org/.