The American Library Association, the Association of American Publishers, the American Booksellers Association, and the Authors Guild are among 17 plaintiffs suing over a ban on libraries offering children obscene books in the state.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed the ban into law on March 31, and it will go into effect on August 1 — just before the start of the new school year.

The bill, Senate Bill 81, adds library materials to the statute governing the possession and distribution of obscene material.

Previously, schools and public libraries were exempt from prosecution “for disseminating a writing, film, slide, drawing, or other visual reproduction that is claimed to be obscene.”

Under the new law, parents and other members of the community can challenge the appropriateness of a book that is being offered to minors in schools or public libraries. Additionally, employees of public or school libraries that knowingly provide obscene material to a minor can face a Class D felony.

In a statement to Publisher’s Weekly, the American Library Association claimed that the lawsuit is about the “freedom to read.”

“The American Library Association is pleased that the Freedom to Read Foundation, our First Amendment legal defense arm, and our state affiliate, the Arkansas Library Association, are participating in the lawsuit to vindicate Arkansas residents’ freedom to read,” ALA president Lessa Kanani’opua Pelayo-Lozada told PW. “The government has no place in deciding what books people can borrow or buy.”

The report lists the current plaintiffs as:

Augason Farms Lunch and Dinner Variety Pail Emergency Food Supply 4-Gallon Pail

(10649)

24% Off $99.99 $75.07 (as of May 31, 2023 06:50 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Ready Hour, Fruit & Veggie Mix, Real Non-Perishable Freeze-Dried Food, 30-Year Shelf Life, Portable Emergency and Adventure Food Supply, Durable Flood Safe Container, 56 Servings

(85)

$49.95 ($49.95 / Count) (as of May 31, 2023 06:50 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

4Patriots: 3-Month Survival Food Kit - Emergency Food Supply, Freeze Dried Food, Designed To Last 25 Years, 688 Servings, 135,440 Total Calories, Disaster-Resistant Packaging

(3619)

$697.00 ($697.00 / Count) (as of May 31, 2023 06:50 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

ReadyWise Emergency Food Supply, Freeze-Dried Survival Food for Emergencies, Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Entrées, 1 Bucket, 25-Year Shelf Life, 124 Servings Total

(2398)

$94.00 ($0.76 / Count) (as of May 31, 2023 06:50 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

ReadyWise Emergency Food 30-Day Supply, Freeze-Dried Survival Food for Emergencies, Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, 2 Buckets, 25-Year Shelf Life, 298 Servings Total

(3176)

$199.99 ($0.67 / Count) (as of May 31, 2023 06:50 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

ReadyWise Emergency Food Supply, Freeze-Dried Survival Food for Emergencies, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Drink Mix, 1 Bucket, 25-Year Shelf Life, 52 Servings Total

(6728)

20% Off $74.99 $59.74 (as of May 31, 2023 06:50 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Grizzly Gear Emergency Food Rations- 3600 Calorie Blueberry Bar - 3 Day, 72 Hour Supply For Disaster, Hurricane, Flood Preparedness - Less Sugar, More Nutrients Than Leading Brands - 5 Year Shelf Life

(57)

10% Off $18.95 $16.95 (as of May 31, 2023 06:50 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

ReadyWise Long Term Emergency Food Supply, Breakfast and Entree Variety, 36 Buckets- Total of 4320 Servings

(545)

11% Off $10,199.99 $8,999.99 (as of May 31, 2023 06:50 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Ready Hour, Emergency Meal Entrées, Real Non-Perishable Meals, 25-Year Shelf Life, Portable, Durable Flood-Safe Container, 120 Servings

(420)

$119.95 ($119.95 / Count) (as of May 31, 2023 06:50 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Augason Farms Dehydrated and Freeze-Dried Fruit Variety Pail, 25-Year Shelf Life, Emergency Food Supply, Camping Food

(1874)

$114.89 (as of May 31, 2023 06:50 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

- Advertisement -