House Bill 666 would establish censorship

Many years ago when I was president of the Friends of the Library, a patron with a complaint was mistakenly advised to call me for a solution.

She complained that her young son had been able to borrow a book to which she objected and wanted me to do something about the availability of that book. I told her that I agreed that it is her job to monitor what her son was reading but that it is absolutely not her job to determine what any other kids might read.

Instead, I said that it is the library’s very important job to bring to our library’s the widest possible selection of books so that the whole community might be served. I still believe that.

Censorship is rearing its ugly head again and so I reiterate my belief that while it is your job to oversee what your kids read, it is not your job to predetermine what my kids can read because you have issues with contemporary society.

To hold the librarians responsible and threatened with a $1,000 fine because you have a problem with sex and gender issues, with religion or any other issues confronted in our society is outrageous.

I want our society to have knowledge and awareness so they can make responsible, community-minded decisions. To stifle that is to cripple our society. Please contact our state’s legislators to object to the bill establishing censorship.

ILENE BELL

Sandpoint