Arkansas District Judge Timothy Brooks chose to block a law that targeted librarians for providing “obscene” books to minors. Little Rock’s Central Arkansas Library System and others challenged the law.
The law stated that librarians and booksellers who knowingly loaned and sold books containing “obscene” material to minors would be charged with a class A misdemeanor and class D felony. The public would decide the appropriateness of a book.
The Authors Guild’s General Counsel, Cheryl Davis mentioned that she and the organization are glad of the decision – commenting that it limited the free speech of those who are much capable of understanding complicated reading material compared to young children.
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Arguments Against The New Law
The state’s ACLU praised the court’s decision and for them refraining to use a preliminary injunction, which would be temporary and violate First Amendment rights. Central Arkansas Library System’s Executive Director, Nate Coulter praised the judge’s decision.
Coulter remarked they recognized it was censorship and that it unfairly criticized librarians and booksellers. He adds they’re glad their librarians will be safe. School and municipal officials must review and vote if a challenged book should be moved to sections unnaccessible to minors.
Attorney General Tim Griffin commented that he and his office will continue to defend the law, and are going to examine the judge’s ruling. Since the law was established in the state, many librarians, booksellers, and advocates have been challenging the bill.
In a separate case a lawsuit was filed in response to the law’s censorship. During the wake of it, a coalition was formed which included the Central Arkansas Library System, ACLU, and others. Other states were also facing similar challenges.
Those involved were afraid it meant that some book titles were considered as challenging because of their “harmful” and “obscene” material, and could no longer be allowed to be displayed on shelves.
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Source: CBS News
