Last October, Republican legislators introduced a bill (SB 597/598) which would require both school and public librarians in Wisconsin to share students’ library checkout information with parents within 24 hours of an item being checked out.

Peter Bromberg, Associate Director of EveryLibrary, spoke with Thursday 8 O’Clock Buzz hosts Tony Castańeda and Eli Wilz about how this bill could put libraries in real jeopardy.  Given that parents already have the ability to monitor their child’s library activity, requiring librarians to notify parents of their children’s check-out activity within 24 hours has the potential to increase operational costs at both public and school libraries.

EveryLibrary sees this type of legislation as part of a national trend; because schools and libraries are such trusted and beloved public institutions, crafting bills that undermine confidence in them is a way to slowly erode that trust and ultimately persuade voters that moving public funds into private hands and school voucher programs is a viable alternative.

Photo courtesy of Brett Jordan on Unsplash.

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