The Donnelly Public Library, national book publishers, writers, and a few parents and students from Idaho filed a lawsuit against the state on Tuesday in an attempt to overturn the state library materials law.
Idaho’s 2024 law requiring libraries to remove books considered dangerous to children or face legal action is being challenged in this lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho.
We are not discarding books: How Idaho’s libraries are putting the new materials law into practice
By requiring public schools and libraries to take drastic steps to limit minors’ access to books, or risk an injunction and/or financial penalties, the lawsuit claims that Idaho’s statute violates the constitutional rights of publishers, writers, parents, librarians, educators, and students.
According to the lawsuit, Idaho’s statute, which was approved by the legislature and signed into law by Governor Brad Little through House Bill 710, is ambiguous and comprehensive. The action asks the court to declare the statute unlawful and invalid for breaching the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution and to halt its execution.
The Idaho Capital Sun previously reported that the Donnelly Public Library, a small rural library in Valley County, had an adults-only policy in response to the new law.
Several publishers allege in the lawsuit that the law has restricted their publications in Idaho libraries.
The case targets the Eagle Public Library Board of Trustees, seven Idaho county prosecutors, and Idaho Attorney General Ral Labrador. Following a closed-door discussion, the Eagle Library Board moved 23 books in October, according to Idaho Education News.
Editor’s note: We will be updating this breaking news article.
