State lawmaker says schools pulling books isn’t censorship

FORT WORTH, Texas — Some public college libraries in Texas are actually on the frontline within the ongoing tradition wars.

Officials within the Keller ISD yanked 41 books off the cabinets all through the district for additional assessment after they have been challenged by mother and father.  That contains the Bible and “Anne Frank’s Diary: The Graphic Adaptation.”

State Representative Matt Krause is the state lawmaker who began his personal e-book inquiry final fall when he requested schools if they’d some 850 titles on their campuses.  Many of the titles pulled in Keller have been additionally on his listing.

RELATED: Texas e-book inquiry: What are the results if a district has one of many 800 titles recognized? Rep main the cost will not say

The Fort Worth Republican says he doesn’t view it as subjective censorship, however as a substitute discovering the best stability for our youngsters.

“I think it’s always a good idea to ensure that the books that are in the library’s bookshelves in your schools are appropriate, age appropriate,” Rep. Krause mentioned on Inside Texas Politics.  “And as you and I have talked about, what’s appropriate in a Keller ISD high school may not be appropriate in a Keller ISD middle school.  So, I think you always have those conversations.  I think they’re constructive.”

As for the Bible, Rep. Krause doesn’t assume it is going to be off cabinets for lengthy.  He thinks it was a “tit-for-tat” kind problem, the place a mother or father or group mentioned when you’re taking books from our facet, we’ll take some books out of your facet.

But the Republican additionally firmly believes these choices ought to stay native, even when sooner or later a brand new college board would determine to make a Bible ban everlasting.

“We’ve always said the power of what should be or should not be in these libraries is up to the local communities.  And you’re right, maybe in five, 10 years, Keller ISD, the parents, the taxpayers, the school board, the superintendent all decide this shouldn’t be in our libraries. That should be up for them to decide,” he advised us.

The Republican additionally says he expects state lawmakers to contemplate extra legal guidelines regarding library books once they return to Austin in January.  He says they, too, should discover a stability.

“You want to make sure you continue to allow for that autonomy and community input.  But I do think the legislature will take a look at it,” mentioned Krause.  “It may be some guiding standards, some guiding principles on what you should do, and then the particulars will be addressed by the individual school districts.”

Rep. Krause himself gained’t be there in January.  He’s leaving workplace after giving up his seat to run for Tarrant County District Attorney.  But he misplaced in a runoff to Phil Sorrells.