Book banning efforts get closer to New Orleans
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios
The national book ban debate is encroaching on New Orleans, with Jefferson Parish Library and St. Tammany Library leaders both now reviewing books after complaints were made about LGTBQ+ content and other titles.
Why it matters: The New Orleans Public Library has so far not been targeted by efforts seen elsewhere in the state to ban or restrict books, library officials tell Axios.
The big picture: Book banning is a hot topic in Louisiana.
- In Lafayette, a Pride Month display was banned last year at the public library, NPR reports. The move came a few years after Drag Queen Story Time was canceled and the ACLU intervened.
- Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry launched a tip line last year where people can report concerns about librarians and teachers, the Louisiana Illuminator reports.
- Landry — who is running for governor on the Republican ticket — also said he wants to restrict what minors can check out at public libraries, NOLA.com reports.
- The state Senate is considering a bill about library card restrictions. The House is looking at a similar one.
The bottom line: New Orleans library officials say they have a process for patrons to request the removal or reclassification of titles, but the final decision is up to the library's board of directors.
- "There haven't been any challenges to our collection in many years," Mat Bowers, head of the library's acquisitions department, tells Axios.
- The library's collection development mission is to provide a "broad and relevant collection of materials … to people of differing ages, ethnic groups, lifestyles and points of view."
- "As a rule, we do not ban books," Bowers tells Axios.
What's next: Books remain under review.
- In Jefferson Parish, the 12 challenged books remain in active circulation, spokesperson Gretchen Hirt Gendron tells Axios. A committee of librarians is expected to make recommendations to the library director by the end of the month.
- In St. Tammany, the Library Control Board voted to keep five challenged books, the Illuminator reports. Another 152 were under review as of March.