Public libraries in Mississippi have cut off access to digital platforms like Overdrive and Hoopla to those under 18.
A new Mississippi law severely restricts access to digital library resources like Hoopla and Overdrive for those under 18. The law requires vendors to ensure all materials comply with a broad definition of obscenity that effectively bans any depiction of sexual reproduction or queerness. This has forced libraries to shut down digital access for minors or risk fines, locking out youth from educational resources. The law disproportionately impacts those from disadvantaged backgrounds who rely most on public libraries. Mississippi joins other states like Texas in passing legislation that places the burden of compliance on vendors, resulting in widespread loss of access to materials for students.
When libraries were first being forced to take books off the shelves, libraries in the free states started giving ebook access to students living all across the country. Now the red states are going to cut off ebook access, too?
The ignorance of 98% of our voting population is why our government is unproductive for all but the 1%. It’s how you get Democrats who are effectively Republicans, why there always has to be a rotating Democratic villain in the Senate, and why all we’ve seen over the last 40 years is the slow, eventual impoverishment of the majority of American citizens. All most of them care about is team color, and if blue or red wins, they consider it a win for themselves, even if it has no material effect or a negative material effect on their lives.
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When libraries were first being forced to take books off the shelves, libraries in the free states started giving ebook access to students living all across the country. Now the red states are going to cut off ebook access, too?
If people weren’t ignorant there would be no red states.
Yep
I don’t know that I agree.
The ignorance of 98% of our voting population is why our government is unproductive for all but the 1%. It’s how you get Democrats who are effectively Republicans, why there always has to be a rotating Democratic villain in the Senate, and why all we’ve seen over the last 40 years is the slow, eventual impoverishment of the majority of American citizens. All most of them care about is team color, and if blue or red wins, they consider it a win for themselves, even if it has no material effect or a negative material effect on their lives.