Librarians say Missouri Secretary of State is overreaching in proposal restricting materials

The proposal by Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft would threaten the funding of libraries over "non-age-appropriate materials" for minors. But former library administrators say the rules are "redundant and unnecessary."
In October, Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft announced he had submitted proposed rule 15 CSR 30-200.015: "Library Certification Requirement for the Protection of Minors."

If approved, libraries that receive state funds would have to certify in writing that they are in compliance with six requirements "to protect minors from non-age-appropriate materials" or risk losing that funding.

A group of 12 former Missouri library directors and administrators signed onto a letter opposing the rule, sent to Ashcroft on Nov. 30.