U.S. News

In a year in which there are dozens of anti-library, pro-book banning bills being floated in state legislatures across the country, including several intended to criminalize librarianship, Iowa has advanced their own bill targeting public librarians in a matter of days. Iowa House File 274 (HF 274) was introduced on Monday, February 10, and has already made its way out of the House Education Committee. This means that it is now eligible to be discussed and advanced by the full House.

It is not common for bills to move at such a fast speed. But bills like HF 274 are wildly unpopular with most citizens. The speed at which it has moved through the Iowa House is indicative of its partisan nature.

HF 274 was introduced by Helena Hayes (IA District 88). The bill would erase protections that public libraries and educational institutions have related to “obscene” materials. The bill would also restrict where and how minors could access the public library. As the obscenity laws are written now, minors are permitted to attend any event at a public library or public school, as well as access any materials available therein. HF 274 would kick open the door of barring anyone under the age of 18 from utilizing the library or its materials were it believed so-called “obscene” material were available.