ST LOUIS — Missouri has issued bans on nearly 300 books in schools since a new law took effect in August.
PEN America, a national nonprofit that aims to protect freedom of expression, released findings Wednesday and compiled a list of 297 books recently banned at Missouri school libraries.
In August, Missouri enacted a new law to remove certain reading materials in school. As part of S.B. 775, books deemed to contain “explicit sexual material” is now illegal in public and private schools. State leaders say the book ban is one of the several measures in the bill attempting to address child trafficking. There are some limited exceptions for books which may present ‘explicit’ material but are considered to be artistic or informational in nature.
According to Ozarks First, PEN America states more than 200 books have been removed from Wentzville School District libraries in St. Charles County. Other districts with new books banned in the St. Louis area include Kirkwood, Mehlville, Lindbergh, Rockwood and Webster Groves.
Some of the books banned include works from Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo, graphic novel adaptations of classics by Shakespeare and Mark Twain and educational books about the Holocaust.
PEN America had addressed a letter to Missouri school boards and districts over the matter, attempting to collect more than 1,600 signatures as part of a protest against the new law. Organizers say the book bans deprive students of the freedom to read around Missouri.
Meanwhile, state leaders could consider more protocols to make sure schools are following guidance for book bans. Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft submitted a proposal last month that would establish a certification requirement for libraries receiving state funds and institute measures to protect minors from non-age-appropriate materials.
As part of the proposal, school libraries would adopt written policies to determine what material is age-appropriate and could not use state funds to purchase materials “that appeal to the prurient interest of a minor.” Ashcroft’s office opened a 30-day public comment period on his new proposal earlier this week.
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