As The War On Books Rages, A Virginia School Official Proposes Closing Down Libraries
Christina and Robert Burris, the parents of a high school student in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, attended a November 2021 school board meeting for a particular reason: to complain about “33 Snowfish,” a novel about homeless teenagers who escape sexual abuse.
The 2003 book, written by Adam Rapp, could “traumatize” teenagers with its “shocking” content, the couple alleged.
The school board responded immediately. With one member not present, the board voted 6-0 to remove “sexually explicit” books from school libraries.
Residents of Spotsylvania County, a fast-growing area halfway between Richmond and the nation’s capital, soon voiced their displeasure over the board’s move, prompting it to quickly reverse the decision.
Mark Taylor, the superintendent of Spotsylvania County Public Schools, last month proposed shuttering all school libraries in the district. Doing so would be a crucial cost-cutting move, he argued, noting that the school system was facing a $21.8 million funding gap. (After county officials approved a budget in April, the shortfall came out to be $10 million.)
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/spotsylvania-school-library-close-virginia_n_6442a344e4b03c1b88c6afa8
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