How Did We Get Here | CleanBooks4Kids

How Did We Get Here?

It's Shocking

Let's face it: kids have always been able to get their hands on naughty books. But years ago, it might have been an occasional sneaked adult book read in secret. Or an adult magazine left behind by an older sibling. Not anymore! No need for kids to pass around a dog-eared, second-hand adult paperback because now there's abundant graphic sexuality throughout books for minors. And these books are all over local public libraries.

Seems unbelievable ... but sadly, it's true.

What Idahoans Value

Poll

Idaho's Laws

In 1972, Idaho's legislators passed laws clearly defining and outlawing obscenity regarding minors

BUT

there's a criminal exemption for schools and libraries.

However, in April 2024, Idaho's legislators passed a new law which enables parents/legal guardians to petition libraries to relocate books for minors which have adult sexual content.

Obscenity Law Re: Minors

Criminal Penalty Exemption

Civil Remedy: Request for Relocation

What qualifies as "obscene"
and "harmful to minors"? It's explicitly defined (pun intended) in Idaho's statutes.

Definitions by Statute

Too much ... too soon

Kids' brains aren't ready for this information. Premature exposure leads to very harmful outcomes. The American College of Pediatricians issued a dire warning:

Read Me

Source: American College of Pediatricians 2016

Trustees Set The
Materials Policy

Whether appointed or elected, library board trustees determine the materials selection policy.

The materials policies determine what's selected by each library system.

Do these Community Library Network (CLN) and Coeur d'Alene (CDA) policies do enough to protect kids?

CLN Policy

CDA Policy

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