Zach Mosca , 21WFMJ; Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County raises concerns regarding potential censorship provisions
"The Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County (PLYMC) along with the Ohio Library Commission (OLC) are sounding the alarm over provisions in the Ohio State Budget that a representative for the library says will not only affect the library's funding, but the content guests have access to.
21 News has already highlighted concerns regarding potential budget cuts, which could put certain library programs at risk. Now, the library is raising the alarm about language in the budget that could restrict access to certain material for guests under 18.
According to the OLC, who represents Ohio's 251 public library systems including PLYMC, a provision in Ohio's budget proposal would require public libraries to segregate material related to sexual orientation or gender identity or expression so they are not visible to guests under 18.
OLC Executive Director Michelle Francis says this language is overly vague and broad and "ultimately unworkable."
"It opens the door to unconstitutional censorship and undermines the core mission of libraries - to provide free and open access to information," Francis said."
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