Book publishers, authors, Donnelly Public Library sue Idaho officials over library materials law

A woman thumbs through a book called 'All Are Welcome' at a read-in event Aug. 10 to protest the passage of House Bill 710, held in front of the Idaho State Capitol Building. (Kyle Pfannenstiel/Idaho Capital Sun)
National book publishers, authors, the Donnelly Public Library, and a handful of Idaho parents and students sued the Idaho officials on Tuesday to block the state's library materials law.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court for the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho, challenges Idaho's law adopted in 2024 that requires libraries move materials deemed 'harmful to minors,' or face lawsuits.
'We are not getting rid of books': How libraries across Idaho are implementing new materials law
The lawsuit alleges Idaho's law violates the constitutional rights of publishers, authors, parents, librarians, educators and students, 'by forcing public schools and libraries to undertake drastic measures to restrict minors' access to books, or face injunction and/or monetary penalty.'
The lawsuit alleges Idaho's law, passed by the Idaho Legislature and signed by Gov. Brad Little through House Bill 710, is 'vague and sweeping.' The lawsuit requests the court enjoin the law's enforcement and declare the law unconstitutional and void for violating First and 14th Amendment rights in the U.S. Constitution.
In response to the new law, Donnelly Public Library — a tiny rural Idaho library in Valley County — adopted an adults-only policy, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported.
In the lawsuit, several publishers claim their books have been restricted in Idaho libraries following the law.
The lawsuit is against Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador, several Idaho county prosecuting attorneys and the Eagle Public Library Board of Trustees. In October, the Eagle library board relocated 23 books after a closed-door deliberation, Idaho Education News reported.
Editor's note: This is a breaking news story that will be updated.

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Politico

an hour ago

• Politico

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