Missouri Secretary of State Ashcroft made some changes to a new rule for libraries he proposed in 2022. A record 16,000 comments were received after it was published in ­­the Missouri Register on Nov. 15. 

The original rule would have blocked state funding for any library that didn't file written policies with the State Librarian on how individuals can challenge a book or other material in the collection. It called for “age-appropriate” content but did not specify what that means.

The League believes that a public library system is a basic community service. Libraries are a major source of knowledge and information necessary for informed, active participation in a democratic society. Moreover, the League believes that long- term, assured, stable and adequate funding should be available to public libraries.

Libraries provide access to a wide range of information and ideas for their community or school based on reliable review sources according to age-appropriate criteria. The new rule suggests that libraries should not try to represent all points of view concerning the problems and issues of our times. Placement of books and materials in libraries is something that should be left up to people with training and experience in the profession of librarianship.

This rule could restrict intellectual freedom that libraries uphold, thereby harming the people who need the materials.