Book Bans: Coming Soon to a Library Near You
Julia Mumm, Staff Writer
March 23, 2025
On the morning of Thursday, March 6th, 2025, House Bill 1239 was passed 5-2 by the South Dakota Senate Judiciary Committee. In a nutshell, H.B. (House Bill) 1239 would incriminate employees at schools, colleges, universities, museums, and public libraries charged with distributing material deemed “harmful to minors”. A Class 1 Misdemeanor, a librarian found guilty of this offense could face one-year imprisonment in a county jail, a two thousand dollar fine, or both. To put that into perspective, other Class 1 Misdemeanors in the state of South Dakota include simple assault, stalking, hiring of a prostitute, and petty theft.
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According to state law, library material described as offensive to societal ideals, tempting to minors’ “morbid and shameful interests,” and without reasonable educational value is subject to be vetoed by the state. Is it the state’s job to enforce what books your child reads? Parents, lawmakers, and librarians opposing the bill say no. Still, the bill passed in the Senate, 10-5, and is now on its way to Governor Larry Rhoden’s desk.
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However, it was not sent forward without amendments. As of March 13, 2025, the measures against prohibiting “obscene material” will still be put forward, but library staff will not be prosecuted for allowing material to reach the hands of minors. While this is a win-win scenario for those pushing the bill, it still means that the first steps of book censorship are being taken in South Dakota.
This is not a surprise, given the censorship pushed by the Trump Administration. Approximately 199 words are being flagged and removed from federal agencies. As ludicrous as it sounds, the New York Times compiled a list of censored words below:
Amendments to or removals of web pages, curriculum, federal documents, and more are within their prerogative. During the new administration, phrases in thousands of documents have already been erased. The removal of words may seem like nothing, though hidden between the fine lines, it may not be in line with the First Amendment: the protection of freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly, and the right to petition the government.
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Now more than ever, we must stay informed… locally and nationally. For many teenagers, the going-ons of the U.S. Capitol are meaningless, but the changes are trickling down into our community…into our libraries and schools. Know your rights and do not remain silent. Indifference often causes much more harm than outright dislike.