A new law in Washington prohibits public schools from removing instructional materials, including books, because they were written about/by a person in a minority group.
The supporters of law, which went into effect on June 6, 2024, highlight the importance of representation in books.
Proponents believe “it is essential that all students have access to accurate material that reflects the diverse world they live in,” according to a report from the house committee on education.
Seventh grader, Adie Price, is an avid reader and has “a sense of inclusion and equality” when reading books banned in other places.
Librarian Aimee Miles believes students should see themselves and others in books.
“I think [book banning] reduces kids’ understanding of who can be in the world and how to be in the world,” Miles said.
Furthermore, Miles is adamant in trusting students to respect their own boundaries.
“I feel like book banning has an inherent lack of trust in kids,” Miles said.
The law protects books to prevent discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color and many more.
According to the education committee’s report, supporters believe “kids should read the good and bad of history so that they do not repeat the mistakes of history.”
Opponents of this law worry that it may “lead to family conflict and further erosion of public school enrollment,” according to the education committee’s report.
However, the proponents believe that librarians need protection in choosing materials and books. The report cited testimony from supporters saying
“Librarians have been under attack and they need policies and procedures that are best practices for everyone,” according to the education committee’s report.
However, UPrep is not affected by book banning and this law because it’s a private school. There is not a policy in the family handbook relating to book banning, Miles thinks librarians as a whole should try their best to provide information.
“Everything that we do, we need to do our best to get out of the way of whatever someone is looking for, to find out, and to help them to find that without judgment,” she said.
Miles is not in favor of book banning and finds it goes against her job,
“Any kind of censorship or reduction in people’s access to information goes against what the entire profession is about,” Miles said.