Last week, the California State Legislature approved AB 1825, a bill that has sparked significant controversy and concern among parents and community leaders alike. This legislation mandates that minors have unrestricted access to all books in public libraries, including those containing sexual content. The bill effectively removes the ability of local politicians, parents, and librarians to ensure that the children’s sections of libraries are safe spaces filled with age-appropriate materials.
The Dangers of AB 1825
AB 1825 states that public libraries shall not limit “access to library materials” even if those materials “may include sexual content.” The bill further emphasizes that “a person’s right to use a public library and its resources shall not be denied or abridged solely because of personal characteristics, age, background, or views.” While this may seem like a victory for free access to information, it presents a significant danger to the developmental health of children.
Parents traditionally trust that the children’s section of a library is a safe environment, where their children can explore the joys of reading without being exposed to content that is inappropriate for their age. However, under AB 1825, this trust is undermined. The bill effectively strips libraries of the ability to manage the placement of sexual content, forcing them to allow unrestricted access to all materials, regardless of their suitability for young readers.
A Case in Point: Fresno County
The recent controversy in Fresno County serves as a stark example of the dangers posed by AB 1825. During Pride Month, a local library featured a display of books in the children’s section that included sexually explicit content and books on gender identity. One of the sexually explicit books was titled, “It’s Perfectly Normal.” (See some details here) Concerned parents, along with a county supervisor, argued that these books were not appropriate for children and should be relocated to a section of the library that required parental approval for access. Their intention was not to ban these books from the library, but to ensure that impressionable and vulnerable minors were not exposed to material that could harm their understanding of relationships and development. (Read more about the Fresno story here)
The approach taken in Fresno was a measured response to a legitimate concern. However, under AB 1825, such community-driven solutions would be outlawed. Libraries would no longer have the authority to protect children by relocating sexually explicit materials to more appropriate sections of the library. This bill effectively handcuffs local communities, preventing them from making decisions in the best interest of their children.
CFC’s Stance on AB 1825
“AB 1825 is a direct assault on the responsibility of public libraries to protect our children from inappropriate content,” said Greg Burt, Vice President of the California Family Council. “While we fully support the First Amendment and the right to free speech, this bill recklessly disregards the need for age-appropriate materials in children’s sections. By stripping away parental rights and community standards, AB 1825 fails our families and puts our children’s development at risk. Libraries should partner with parents, not undermine their trust.”
It is also important to note that the bill’s author, Assemblyman Muratsuchi (D-Long Beach), acknowledged the potential harm by amending the bill to exclude school libraries, allowing school districts to retain control over what sexual content children can access. This creates a troubling double standard: if school libraries can protect children, why can’t public libraries do the same?
The Need for Community Standards and Parental Rights
Public libraries are accountable to their communities, including parents who are deeply concerned about the materials their children encounter. AB 1825 disregards these parental rights and community standards, forcing libraries to expose children to content that many believe is inappropriate for their age.
Libraries could, and should, partner with parents by ensuring that sexually explicit content is placed in adult sections, maintaining accessibility for those who seek it while protecting young minds from exposure to potentially harmful material. By passing AB 1825, the legislature has failed to respect this balance, prioritizing unrestricted access over the well-being of children.
Take Action:
The final decision on AB 1825 is now in the hands of Governor Gavin Newsom. You can let the Governor know what you think about the bill by going to: www.gov.ca.gov/contact/
Once you get to the page, select the “Topic” drop-down menu and select “An Active Bill.” Then, use the drop-down menu to select AB 1825 from the list of active bills. Finally, click the “Leave a Comment” button and click the “Next” button to send a note to the Governor.
