Books

The biggest change is the addition of a “specialized review” committee that will focus solely on judging if portions of challenged books meet the state’s “sensitive materials” standard.

Former Brighton High School librarian Catherine Bates said her job was affecting her mental health, in part because of the current political climate surrounding school libraries and which books can be in them.

As Utah lawmakers debate which books should and should not be in school libraries, the focus is often on removals. Librarians, however, say a lot of thought goes into choosing titles in the first place.

The Davis School District said in a statement on Tuesday that its board had determined the sacred text was age-appropriate for all school libraries.

Utah lawmakers continue to criticize the Davis School District for banning the Bible in some schools, and vocal support is growing for revising Utah’s “sensitive materials” law.

Rep. Ken Ivory said he wants school districts to vote in a public meeting before any books are banned.

The Utah State Board of Education asked lawmakers to put a pause on new “sensitive materials” legislation since last year’s law is still so fresh.

Librarians in Grand County, Summit County and Brigham City share which adult fiction and nonfiction titles were checked out most often in 2022.

Several of the books that the Alpine School District removed are among the most challenged books of 2021, according to the American Library Association.

Last week, the American Library Association reported that the number of attempts in 2022 to ban or restrict library resources is on track to beat the previous year’s record. Utah librarians, authors, and educators say they’re seeing that trend in Utah and want to put a stop to it.

Some –– but not all –– school districts in Utah have policies in place to review materials deemed inappropriate for students. The state education board is tasked with providing standardized guidance.

“Something Wilder” follows Lily – an adventure tour guide in Southeast Utah – on a wild (and swoon-worthy) goose chase.