Georgia GOP Senators Target Public Libraries With New Bill

Nearly two dozen of {Georgia's Republicans}, including several high-ranking members, have signed onto legislation that seeks to ban government funding for libraries affiliated with the American Library Association, which they claim is influenced by Marxist ideology.

Senate Bill 390, introduced Wednesday, would deny ALA-affiliated libraries any taxpayer funding from Georgia’s cities, counties, public schools, the state University System and other public bodies created under the state Constitution or laws.

reported by Ty Tagami of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in Gazette Extra yesterday.
https://www.gazettextra.com/news/nation_world/georgia-gop-senators-target-americ...

This is apparently an effort to shut down all public libraries in Georgia that are not under the control of the politicians' sponsors. (In my perspective, these are religious extremists and White supremacists getting help from outside tbe state.)

County and regional library districts in Republican-controlled areas of the state have already already been struggling to remain open as local governments defund them for offering LGBTQIA and BIPOC materials and themed events like book clubs and federal holiday displays. The ALA supports people's rights to read freely, and has been vocal against library censorship based on federally protected subject matter, such as books featuring queer and Black narrators.

Before anyone here says "the federal government won't allow that," I would like to point out that Georgia, along with several other Republican-controlled states, are this week talking about moving military forces in opposition to presidential orders.

Why ban books when you can ban libraries?

>2 PaperbackPirate: exactly.

They're going for more comprehensive destruction.

Libraries provide more than books, obviously. Everything in libraries has been a target in recent years.

The State Republicans can get rid of books, movies, newspapers, posters and murals, flyers and handouts for no-cost government services, inspirational displays, shared computers with internet, gaming spaces, and the people* they don't like all in one push.

(* Because this could also force many librarians and support workers out of their jobs so they can no longer make a fuss about the freedom to read and the access to public services involving the libraries. And because one of the arguments I've repeatedly heard from library challengers in open meetings in the past few years is that stopping libraries from offering materials about specific demographics of people is one of the steps to removing the people from the population. Watch these meetings in conservative counties—it's "first we go for the books" in unapologetic action.)

... and libraries are a great place for public meetings, a place where civic services are described, where literacy is taught and furthered ...

>1 aspirit: This is beyond reprehensible! Those ignorant power hungry pandering fools.

>5 clamairy: I've confirmed that the people who started the book banning effort in my city and intrastate region are lobbying the state's government in support of this and two other censorship bills. Their local successes at defunding their county libraries wasn't enough, apparently.

>4 PocheFamily: they are community-building centers! Our local school teachers are upset at already losing access to a major resource for education and entertainment of students as the libraries are squeezed. I don't know what they could do, if anything, to make up for more library closures.

I live in Georgia and, as evidenced by my active account here, am deep into the book world. I haven't heard about this until now*. Which implies that they're trying to get it in under the radar.

*I acknowledge the possibility it may have been on local/state news, which I do not watch because it makes my mom start yelling about politics, and, just, no.

>6 aspirit: I wouldn't dream of asking any more of our teachers. They're already on the frontlines and constantly scrutinized beyond reason - and I'm not even thinking about PTAs when I write this! The only hope is that every time extremists make themselves noticed the general public recognizes the wrongs - it just takes time, and unfortunately, harm can be done during this time. That's what makes it so excruciating to watch.

The anti-ALA bill passed.

Article: https://www.gazettextra.com/news/nation_world/georgia-senate-seeks-to-banish-inf...

SB 390 overview: https://www.ajc.com/politics/georgia-legislative-navigator/#bills/SB

The vote breakdown:
33 yays, 20 nays, 2 not voting 1 excused

There's also a Georgia bill nicknamed the "lock up librarians" legislation that is getting almost no attention outside of the censorship groups.

I don't have the heart to look it up more info at this moment. This is all depressing.

>9 aspirit: This is horrible news.