GOP “library porn” law forces small rural library to go adults only

While most people have fond memories of attending story hours, programming, or exploring the shelves at their local libraries, Donnelly, Idaho, is transitioning to something entirely different: an adults-only library.

The change is because of H.B. 710, or the “library porn bill,” which says that anyone can use the library if a child is exposed to mature or age-inappropriate material, and such material must be moved into an “adults-only” section away from children.

Related: Library board members sue to stop far-right group banning LGBTQ+ books

The three plaintiffs allege their removal was retaliation for their stance against restrictions on books.

H.B. 710 says that “obscene content” will be “Judged by the average person, applying contemporary community standards.”

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The bill also seems to target queer people. According to Boise State Public Radio, many of the books supporters of the bill cite as examples of inappropriate material have LGBTQ+ themes or are used for sex education.

Opponents of the bill, which passed last month, said that it could prove onerous on smaller libraries, but supporters of the bill brushed off those arguments. But Donnelly Library says that it’s just too small to have an “adult only” section with enough separation from the kids’ section

“Donnelly Library is only 1024 sq. ft. Our size prohibits us from separating our ‘grown up’ books to be out of the accessible range of children. In order to comply with the legislation we will be transitioning our Library to be an adult only library as of July 1st,” Donnelly Library posted on Facebook.

Children in the library’s paid program whose parents signed a waiver can get access to the library’s collection. Otherwise, minors are not even permitted in the library to use the bathroom.

“This change is painful and not what we had hoped for at all. We desire to comply with state and federal legislation, but because of size we have to protect our staff, our library, and our taxpayer money,” they further wrote.

Donnelly Library Sherry Scheline said that they made the call because they feared a lawsuit that would shut down the library for everyone. She said that “because we don’t have an attorney on retainer, we can’t take those chances. We need to let it be fought out by somebody other than a small and rural library.”

A similar bill was vetoed by Gov. Brad Little (R) in 2023. He said that the policy would “have unintended consequences for Idaho libraries and their patrons.”

“Many of our fondest memories as children are venturing down to our local library and immersing ourselves in the sea of books and knowledge,” Little wrote.

Boise State Public Radio reported that Gov. Little said that he signed it because the current iteration of the bill lowered mandatory fine.

Donnelly Library also said on Facebook that they would continue with children’s programming, such as After-School Programming and Summer Learning. “The children in these particular programs will be able to sign a programming waiver allowing the librarians the ability to carefully curate reading material specifically for their programs. As always the Donnelly Public Library seeks to set forth marked learning objectives in their lesson planning and are very transparent in what the children are reading as well as learning.”

Donnelly Library asked for people to donate so they could renovate and expand the building in order to create enough distance from kids and adults sections to make them in compliance with the H.B. 710.

For now, Donnelly Library said that they “will continue to serve our community to the best of our ability.”

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