North Carolina's HB1043 Poses a Direct Threat to School Libraries

North Carolina Library Association (NCLA) and EveryLibrary are asking the NC General Assembly to reject House Bill 1043 which is currently under consideration. HB1043 would remove parents’ right to guide their own children’s reading and poses significant risks to the mission of school libraries and the rights of students and families across the state.

HB1043 conflates optional, independent reading materials with required classroom instruction and mandates the removal of books that reflect the diversity of North Carolina’s students and families. This approach not only restricts access to information but also undermines the inclusiveness that school libraries are meant to foster.

By mandating the removal of resources that reflect the wonderful diversity of North Carolina public school students and their families, this bill restricts access to information and discriminates against the very children it claims to protect. The school library should be a sanctuary for exploration and a resource for the entire school community.

Additionally, this bill would, in fact, infringe upon parental rights, rather than protect them. What one family prefers their student not read, another family considers essential.

Read the North Carolina Library Association’s full Statement of Concern regarding HB1043: https://nclaonline.wildapricot.org/advocac

Take Action!

Send an email- https://www.saveschoollibrarians.org/emailhb1043

Sign the petition- https://www.saveschoollibrarians.org/hb1043