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Parents, librarians and civil‑liberties groups debate access to minors’ library records
Summary
Committee heard HB 273, a bill that would allow parents or legal guardians to request the list of materials a minor has checked out. Supporters said parents should be able to oversee children’s reading and find overdue items; opponents warned about privacy, risk to vulnerable youth, and operational burdens on small libraries.
CONCORD — The Judiciary Committee considered substantial testimony on House Bill 273, sponsored by Representative Joe Alexander, which would make records of a minor’s checked‑out library materials available to a parent or legal guardian whose address matches the minor’s library account.
Supporters said the change is common sense. Representative Alexander and multiple parents testified the rule would help parents locate overdue items, monitor content for age‑appropriateness, and identify potential safety concerns. Several witnesses offered anecdotal accounts of librarians refusing to…
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