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“My Heart Broke”: Mom Has Her Kids Barred From Entering Library Due To New Bill
A mom of three living in Idaho Falls recently went viral after having her kids forbidden from accessing her local library.
“Kids have lost access to public libraries,” Carly Anderson stated in a TikTok video. “That sounds dramatic, but this is a real-life story that happened to us yesterday in Idaho.”
The incident occurred when Anderson and her 11-year-old daughter Scarlett went upstairs to look for a copy of The Fellowship of the Ring since she had recently finished reading The Hobbit, but they found a new sign barring their entrance.
Highlights
- Idaho mother Carly Anderson goes viral after being barred from a local library with her children due to new state regulations.
- New state law, House Bill 710, effective July 1, 2024, restricts children from accessing certain sections of libraries without parental clearance.
- Some community libraries have opted to close or restrict children's entry entirely rather than restructure or face lawsuits.
“The sign says that if you are under 18, you’re not allowed up there unless you have an unrestricted library card or your parent that is over 18 signs an affidavit for you,” she explained.
The mom then proceeded to show her ID and her daughter’s library card, but it wasn’t enough.
“But no, why don’t they let me? Because I’m holding a baby, my 1-year-old,” she added.
Turns out that due to the baby’s inherent inability to sign a library card, none of them could enjoy the library. This seemingly ridiculous measure came as a result of a recent change in regulation that went into effect on July 1, 2024.
RELATED:
An Idaho mother of three went viral after getting barred from accessing a library with her kids as a result of new regulations
Image credits: carlyjdot
Anderson was quick to point out that the workers were not to blame, instead sympathizing with them for having to enforce what she considers to be a ridiculous rule.
“They were being so nice and patient… I felt like the librarians were sick of it. They feel so bad turning kids away from going into the library.”
“They said that because I had a baby there (who can’t read), I’m not allowed in the library with her unless she has a library card or I signed an affidavit. So, me and Daphne just watched from the edge while Scarlett goes in to find her book. The librarian ended up helping her.”
Image credits: carlyjdot
The mom continued her clip by arguing that restricting children from exploring the library might interfere with their development and learning process.
“My heart broke because what about these kids that aren’t coming in with their parents?”
“What about the Matildas out there that literally come to the library to just read, read, and read and then gain superpowers because they’re Matilda?”
“What about the Hermiones out there that find amazing answers because they go into the Restricted Section of the library?”
The measure comes as a result of a new state law by Idaho’s House of Representatives, which threatens libraries with legal repercussions if they make books containing what they consider to be adult-only themes available to children
Image credits: carlyjdot
@carlyjdot Coming to a library near you 😭 #library #greenscreen #scarletttok #bookban #momtok #lordoftherings #harrypotter #project2025 #librariesoftiktok ♬ original sound – Carly
House Bill 710, which went into effect on July 1, 2024, was created with the intent of protecting children from having access to material considered harmful to minors. It lists items such as nudity, sexual conduct, sexual arousal, and sadomasochism, among others.
The bill allows parents to sue public or school libraries if they believe their kids are being offered material related to the above elements, which has the unintended consequence of forcing these establishments to protect themselves by enforcing measures like the one Anderson and her children encountered.
Image credits: carlyjdot
“All public and school libraries are having to work around this new bill to make sure they don’t get sued,” Anderson explained in a follow-up video.
“For some libraries, it’s doing something like this: having an unrestricted card or making sure that a parent, a legal guardian, signs an affidavit.”
The bill also requires any book containing LGBTQ+ themes and characters to be moved to the adult section, which has led many libraries to refuse its enforcement and opt instead to close their doors
Image credits: carlyjdot
“Even sadder, some of the smaller community libraries have been closed since July 1 because they just don’t have the funding to restructure a library like this or the funding to get sued every time someone gets offended,” the mom explained.
Certain libraries, such as Donnelly Public Library, have opted instead to prohibit children altogether and become adult-only in an effort to avoid any potential legal repercussions arising from the bill.
Image credits: carlyjdot
@carlyjdot Replying to @stephdykman Giving more detail on why Idaho libraries are hurting right now. Spread the word so we can change this! #parttwo #librarytiktok #booktok #bookban #project2025 #vote ♬ original sound – Carly
Other libraries, such as Preston Library, have taken more extreme measures and have closed their doors to the public altogether, opting to operate out of a drive-up window instead.
“There’s a fair amount of books in the young adult section with LGBTQ+ themes or characters which need to be moved to the adult section because the law includes acts of homosexuality in its definition of sexual content harmful to minors,” explained the director of the library, Laura Wheatley, to Idaho Reports.
“What about our marginalized groups? What about these smaller communities? What about these kids that don’t get to come in with their parents? What about grandparents taking their grandchildren and they’re not their legal guardian? What about teenagers that are looking for answers about eating disorders, about abuse?” Anderson continued.
Viewers sympathized with Anderson’s experience, with many urging others to participate in their communities to overturn the bill and similar measures that might arise in the future
Image credits: carlyjdot
“I can’t believe this is real life. Our state is off its rocker,” said one commenter.
“I literally spent most evenings and every weekend choosing my books in the library and then sitting under a tree outside to start my new treasures. This is so sad,” one viewer lamented.
“Libraries don’t need to be restricted. Librarians are with you!” shared another.
“As a school librarian who was restricted in my library as a kid, this angers my soul,” added one worker.
“Trust me as a library director in Alabama, we’re all sick of it. They tried to push something similar here,” stated another librarian.
A lawsuit has since been filed to stop enforcement of House Bill 710, arguing violations of the First Amendment rights of private schools and libraries and 14th Amendment protections for the fundamental liberty interest of parents.
“Librarians are with you!” shared one worker as many others chimed in to complain about the bill
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What do you think ?
Janice 4 months ago
With all of the gun violence in the USA, you would think Republicans and the Religious Right would have better things to do. If we can't restrict guns because of the 2nd Amendment, why are bullets not taxed (cigarettes were) and why is book banning in any form not a violation of the 1st Amendment. What amazes me more is the people passing these ridiculous laws should not be more uptight than the Puritans were.
Megan Humphries 4 months ago
I have had similar thoughts. They seem to be more concerned that children will be exposed to something bad (or maybe even just a different way of thinking) than they might be part of the hundreds of mass shootings we have a year-including schools. However, I came to the realization it is much easier to go after books than to address the complex issues around our crime and gun violence problems.
Load More Replies...
WonderWoman 4 months ago
USA republicans are making laws and rules that make the Taliban look like LIBERALS! Make no mistake, it is 100% intentional on their part, they want to control who is educated, who is not, what they are taught - no matter if it is true or not, who can do what, when they can do it, and they want to corral all the wealth for a chosen few.
Sue User 4 months ago (edited)
They want a theocracy, same as Taliban. When you pount out the similarities they scream that the Taliban is bad because they are not following " the true god".
Load More Replies...
BeesEelsAndPups 4 months ago
I have been living in the US for 17 years, that this is in Idaho makes this all make sense. For those that don't know, Idaho is a US State that sits between liberal Oregon and Washington to its west, and ultra conservative Montana and Wyoming to the east (keep in mind that western parts of Oregon and Washington are also ultra conservative). It's about the size of Great Britain with the population of Vienna. It is also a super conservative state that consistently votes for Republicans. It is the home of former Congressman Steve King, who in spite of calling for literal genocide against migrant farm workers, was able to get re-elected 9 times. And conservatives are on a full on campaign of censorship and book banning in the United States. They tried to hold a anti-book rally here in Philadelphia, but were booed out of the city.
Sue User 4 months ago
Dont forget that Amon Bundy ran for govenor. Though there is hope because the north ( Coeur d'Alene area ) are actually getting sick of the extremism and fighting back.
Load More Replies...
Janice 4 months ago
With all of the gun violence in the USA, you would think Republicans and the Religious Right would have better things to do. If we can't restrict guns because of the 2nd Amendment, why are bullets not taxed (cigarettes were) and why is book banning in any form not a violation of the 1st Amendment. What amazes me more is the people passing these ridiculous laws should not be more uptight than the Puritans were.
Megan Humphries 4 months ago
I have had similar thoughts. They seem to be more concerned that children will be exposed to something bad (or maybe even just a different way of thinking) than they might be part of the hundreds of mass shootings we have a year-including schools. However, I came to the realization it is much easier to go after books than to address the complex issues around our crime and gun violence problems.
Load More Replies... WonderWoman 4 months ago
USA republicans are making laws and rules that make the Taliban look like LIBERALS! Make no mistake, it is 100% intentional on their part, they want to control who is educated, who is not, what they are taught - no matter if it is true or not, who can do what, when they can do it, and they want to corral all the wealth for a chosen few.
Sue User 4 months ago (edited)
They want a theocracy, same as Taliban. When you pount out the similarities they scream that the Taliban is bad because they are not following " the true god".
Load More Replies... BeesEelsAndPups 4 months ago
I have been living in the US for 17 years, that this is in Idaho makes this all make sense. For those that don't know, Idaho is a US State that sits between liberal Oregon and Washington to its west, and ultra conservative Montana and Wyoming to the east (keep in mind that western parts of Oregon and Washington are also ultra conservative). It's about the size of Great Britain with the population of Vienna. It is also a super conservative state that consistently votes for Republicans. It is the home of former Congressman Steve King, who in spite of calling for literal genocide against migrant farm workers, was able to get re-elected 9 times. And conservatives are on a full on campaign of censorship and book banning in the United States. They tried to hold a anti-book rally here in Philadelphia, but were booed out of the city.
Sue User 4 months ago
Dont forget that Amon Bundy ran for govenor. Though there is hope because the north ( Coeur d'Alene area ) are actually getting sick of the extremism and fighting back.
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