Book Bans Turn to Online Library Applications
The last few years have brought a wave of book bans across the United States. What began as banning books under the cover of Critical Race Theory (CRT) bans has morphed into far-right groups demanding that books be pulled from student access that they deem objectionable.
Banned books often feature perspectives that reflect the experiences of LGBTQIA characters and characters of color. A recent article in EducationWeek details the changes coming to Florida because of a new state law passed last year. Librarians will be trained on how to choose and remove books to comply with the law. All staff “are prohibited from using any instructional materials that include critical race theory, culturally responsive teaching, social-emotional learning, (and) social justice.” Additionally, teachers in Florida are not permitted to make decisions about what books are appropriate per HB 1467. One county went as far as telling their teachers they could be charged with a felony if they violated this law. Read more here.
Book bans have extended beyond classroom and school libraries, and these same groups are now targeting online library applications, which have greatly expanded access to books for many students. A school district outside of Nashville cut access for 40,000 students to the Epic application for a week after the superintendent searched books available to her kindergartner and found books supporting LGBTQ pride. Read the full article here. According to EdSurge, similar actions have taken place in Texas, Florida, and Utah.
While in previous years we have seen such bans occurring more often in states with Republican leadership, multiple California school districts being taken over by far-right representatives has brought this battle to the West Coast. On January 29, 2023, parents in Orange Unified School District were emailed by the newly appointed interim superintendent, Edward Velasquez, that the entire district’s access to their online library application, SOAR, would be cut effective immediately. Since teachers were given no advance notice, they were left scrambling to find alternative places for students to find books they were using to complete current projects. According to the OC Register, the district has a $30,000 contract with OverDrive, the parent company of the application. This contract is renewed every January and has not yet been approved this year. You can view Mr. Velasquez’s message here. Access to SOAR was restored after massive parent outcry.
We will continue to monitor this issue in OUSD and other districts.