Public libraries must compile with new Missouri rules by July 31 to keep state funding. The rule says public libraries must have a policy on how materials selections are made for minors, and it prohibits age-inappropriate displays in areas for kids and teens.
The rule does not outline what’s considered age-inappropriate, as that is determined by each library. Regina Cooper, the director of Springfield Greene County Library District, says librarians already follow this rule.
The new rules say minors must have guardian approval to access library materials. Cooper says the Springfield-Greene County Library is already following this rule, too. Minors can’t acquire a library card without a guardian signature.
“Our policy says that parents are responsible for what their children read and view, and so there is no change," says Cooper. "It’s the parent’s responsibility, not the library’s responsibility, to monitor what they're checking out.”
Missouri public libraries must soon have a materials challenge appeal policy and post appeals on the library’s website. Cooper says Springfield’s library district already has an appeal policy.
"We’ve not displayed the challenges the patrons have filled out before, so that’s the new part. But, we have always had the opportunity on our website with a form for patrons to fill out," says Cooper.
Materials selection policies for Springfield-Greene County Library can be found here.