The Williamson County Board of Education is under pressure to finalize a new policy for the review and removal of library materials before the July 1 deadline set by the Tennessee General Assembly. The updated Age Appropriate Materials Act requires schools to ensure that materials are suitable for students in grades K-12 and do not contain explicit content.
The board members have expressed concerns about the practicality and constitutionality of the new law, noting that it could lead to the removal of historically significant books like Alex Haley’s “Roots.” With over 600,000 unique materials in the school libraries, there are doubts about the feasibility of reviewing all books annually as required by the law.
Board member Rick Wimberly has questioned the necessity of the state requirement, pointing out that professionals already vet library books for age-appropriateness. He has also raised concerns about the strain on resources that would result from having librarians review a large percentage of books each year.
Despite these challenges, the board is working to draft a policy that complies with state and federal laws while ensuring that students have access to suitable materials. A final vote on the policy is expected next week after the board meets for another work session. For the latest updates on this issue, visit the Williamson County Board of Education’s website.
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