Public libraries in Iowa could soon be forced to take a number of books off the shelves. It’s all because a bill in the Iowa Senate could remove what’s called the ‘obscenity exemption’ from public libraries in the state. Senate File 235 would remove the obscenity exemption from public libraries in Iowa state code. Under current code Iowa public libraries follow what’s called the Miller test. It’s a three-pronged test to legally define obscenity. It was established during the Supreme Court case Miller v California. Libraries worry with the obscenity exemption gone, library staff will lose already limited resources fighting lawsuits. The bill doesn’t have any guidance for libraries, so another concern is libraries may preemptively remove books that aren’t legally obscene, fearing potential legal challenges.
