Half the Answer #19: Authoritarian Overreach in Texas Libraries
Caitlin and Trent reconnect with librarian and intellectual freedom advocate Katie Talhelm for an update about the legislative attacks on public and school libraries since they last spoke. She provides a window into the procedure libraries follow to decide which books to acquire.
Half the Answer can be heard on Spotify, on Apple, on YouTube, on Amazon, and elsewhere via its RSS feed.
UPDATE: Texas Governor Abbott announces special legislative session beginning June 21 https://texaspolitics.com/2025/06/23/gov-abbott-unveils-special-session-plans-reviews-legislative-wins/
Resources:
Library collection development: https://ala.org/tools/atoz/Collection Development/collectiondevelopment
TX SB 13: https://texastribune.org/2025/05/26/texas-school-library-bill/
TX HB 3225: https://kltv.com/2025/05/29/tyler-reps-bill-ban-explicit-library-books-minors-falters/
TX SB 412: https://texastribune.org/2025/05/02/texas-legislature-teachers-parents-protections/
Rep. James Talarico on SB 13: https://instagram.com/reel/DKVRGhEJyCN/?igsh=c3huYzRydHF4M2hk
Rep. Anne Johnson on HB 3225: https://youtu.be/TCNioq57WIA?si=9tJU6MtqT9U_LptV
Photo of Moms for Liberty founder: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moms_for_Liberty#/media/File%3ATina_Descovich_on_Reason_Magazine.jpg
