California’s new Freedom to Read Act, Assembly Bill 1825, bans public libraries from removing books based on factors like race, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, or political views of the book’s subject, author, or intended audience.
In 2023, the American Library Association reported that 4,240 book titles were targeted for censorship across the U.S., a 92% increase over the previous year. Many of the books targeted for censorship focused on LGBTQ themes, with nearly half being about LGBTQ subjects. Books related to communities of color made up 47% of the censored titles.
“It’s an example of a minority trying to control what others read. That’s censorship, and I think that’s wrong,” said Pam Linney, a resident of San Luis Obispo.
Under the new law, beginning in 2026, state-funded libraries will be required to create and maintain a publicly accessible policy on how books are added or removed from their collections.
Erica Thatcher, Marketing Coordinator for the San Luis Obispo Public Library, emphasized that the library supports free expression, although some books are occasionally hidden by patrons. “The books that get questioned are often those that feature voices from historically marginalized groups,” Thatcher said.
Some residents believe certain books should be excluded from libraries, particularly children’s books. Will Francis, an Oceano resident, expressed concern about inappropriate content: “I think we should ban the books, but parents should also take responsibility for monitoring what their children are reading.”
Other residents disagree. Rolando Locci, a San Luis Obispo resident without children, said, “I understand what’s available today, and I’d argue that the internet is a much more dangerous place than the library.”
The San Luis Obispo Public Library has a collection development policy that guides their book purchasing and acquisition strategies. For more details, you can view their policy .
- Westerville Firefighter Nick Jones Returns Home After 21 Days of Hurricane Rescue Work - December 12, 2024
- Rep. Susan Valdés Joins GOP, Leaving Democratic Party in Florida - December 12, 2024
- Hawaii Woman Hannah Kobayashi Found Safe After Mysterious Disappearance - December 12, 2024
