Caitlin and Trent reconnect with librarian and intellectual freedom advocate Katie Talhelm for an update about the legislative attacks on public and school libraries since we last spoke. She provides a window into the procedure libraries follow to decide which books to acquire.

UPDATE: Texas Governor Abbott announces special legislative session beginning June 21 https://texaspolitics.com/2025/06/23/gov-abbott-unveils-special-session-plans-reviews-legislative-wins/

Resources

Library collection development: https://ala.org/tools/atoz/Collection%20Development/collectiondevelopment

TX SB 12: https://kvue.com/article/news/politics/texas-legislature/texas-dei-ban-public-schools-final-approval-house-senate/269-eae4ff23-c1fe-46e1-bea0-73dc220fbe12

TX SB 13: https://texastribune.org/2025/05/26/texas-school-library-bill/

TX HB 3225: https://kltv.com/2025/05/29/tyler-reps-bill-ban-explicit-library-books-minors-falters/

TX SB 412: https://texastribune.org/2025/05/02/texas-legislature-teachers-parents-protections/

Rep. James Talarico on SB 13: https://instagram.com/reel/DKVRGhEJyCN/?igsh=c3huYzRydHF4M2hk

Rep. Anne Johnson on HB 3225: https://youtu.be/TCNioq57WIA?si=9tJU6MtqT9U_LptV

Photo of Moms for Liberty founder: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moms_for_Liberty#/media/File%3ATina_Descovich_on_Reason_Magazine.jpg