Mass. House tries to shield school libraries from political book removals

• It also bars librarians from losing their licenses or facing discipline for selecting books in line with professional standards.

State of play: The measure would force schools to keep challenged books on library shelves while a review is pending.

• And it requires school districts to establish written selection policies aligned with American Library Association standards.
• The Senate passed a version of the bill in November.

Between the lines: A review committee would hear public input and make a recommendation on books before a school committee vote to remove them.

• Removal would require clear and convincing evidence that a book has no educational, literary, artistic, personal or social value, or that it is not age-appropriate for any student in the school.