Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that ensure books are not removed from public and school libraries for identity-based, ideological or religious reasons in Delaware

Highlights:

• Requires the Delaware Division of Libraries to create model collection development policies for public and school libraries (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Library Consortium to assist in the creation of the aforementioned policies (Sec. 1).

• Establishes collection development principles and specifies that libraries may not exclude or remove material from their catalog for specified ideological reasons (Sec. 2-5).

• Requires that libraries adopt policies in accordance with these principles and include the following provisions (Sec. 2-5):

• Material under review must remain available;

• Only specified stakeholders may object to the availability of material; and  

• Such individuals may only submit one objection at a time;

• Prohibits libraries from retaliating against employees for adhering to the aforementioned policies (Sec. 2-5).

• Authorizes the Division of Libraries to develop an appeal process and authorizes the State Librarian to issue final decisions (Sec. 2-5).

• Specifies that records relating to these processes shall constitute public records (Sec. 2-5).

• Requires that agencies develop and implement uniform processes to review objections to material, include specific provisions, and issue decisions within 30 days (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that final decisions of the School Library Review Committee shall apply only to the school library that received the initial complaint subject to appeal (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that individuals not party to the original complaint may appeal a decision so long as the individual is still a specified stakeholder (Sec. 5).

• Establishes the School Library Review Committee and specifies its membership and voting threshold (Sec. 5).

• Requires that the Department of Education provide support staff to the committee (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that ensure books are not removed from public and school libraries for identity-based, ideological or religious reasons in Delaware

Highlights:

• Requires the Delaware Division of Libraries to create model collection development policies for public and school libraries (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Library Consortium to assist in the creation of the aforementioned policies (Sec. 1).

• Establishes collection development principles and specifies that libraries may not exclude or remove material from their catalog for specified ideological reasons (Sec. 2-5).

• Requires that libraries adopt policies in accordance with these principles and include the following provisions (Sec. 2-5):

• Material under review must remain available;

• Only specified stakeholders may object to the availability of material; and  

• Such individuals may only submit one objection at a time;

• Prohibits libraries from retaliating against employees for adhering to the aforementioned policies (Sec. 2-5).

• Authorizes the Division of Libraries to develop an appeal process and authorizes the State Librarian to issue final decisions (Sec. 2-5).

• Specifies that records relating to these processes shall constitute public records (Sec. 2-5).

• Requires that agencies develop and implement uniform processes to review objections to material, include specific provisions, and issue decisions within 30 days (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that final decisions of the School Library Review Committee shall apply only to the school library that received the initial complaint subject to appeal (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that individuals not party to the original complaint may appeal a decision so long as the individual is still a specified stakeholder (Sec. 5).

• Establishes the School Library Review Committee and specifies its membership and voting threshold (Sec. 5).

• Requires that the Department of Education provide support staff to the committee (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text