Journeys With Jani

There are certain things in life that should be universal common sense. Fire is hot. Water is wet. And librarians—the dedicated, overworked, and underpaid professionals who curate knowledge and inspire young minds—should not be at risk of going to jail for simply doing their jobs.

Yet, here we are.

A new bill proposed in several states would criminalize librarians who fail to remove certain books deemed “inappropriate.” That’s right—career professionals who specialize in research, education, and literacy could now face jail time for refusing to pull books from shelves.

This isn’t just about a few controversial titles. This is government-sanctioned censorship wrapped up in a false narrative of “protecting children.” But let’s be honest—this has nothing to do with keeping kids safe and everything to do with controlling what they have access to.

Parenting vs. Policing

The reality is, no book magically jumps into a child’s hands. No library forces a kid to check out a book. Parents already have the power to monitor what their children read. If you don’t want your kid reading a certain book, then be a parent and don’t let them check it out. Simple.

But what we don’t need is a group of politicians deciding that their personal opinions dictate what all kids—and adults—can read. We don’t need the government overstepping into libraries, classrooms, and bookstores to determine what knowledge is acceptable.

A Dangerous Precedent

History has shown us what happens when books are banned. It starts with one or two titles, but soon the list grows longer. Suddenly, classic literature is “too controversial.” Books about history, race, gender, or anything that challenges a narrow worldview are erased from shelves. And who suffers? Students. Readers. The future generation.

When we criminalize books, we criminalize curiosity. We tell kids that learning is dangerous. We tell librarians—those who dedicate their lives to education—that their jobs are a legal liability.

What Can We Do?

1. Speak Up. Call your representatives and tell them that censorship has no place in our communities.

2. Support Your Local Library. Attend meetings, donate, and advocate for intellectual freedom.

3. Vote. Pay attention to who is pushing these bills and vote accordingly.

4. Teach Your Kids Critical Thinking. Instead of banning books, read them with your children and have discussions. That’s how real learning happens.

Let’s be clear—this bill isn’t about protecting children. It’s about control. And when we let politicians decide which books are acceptable, we open the door to a dangerous future.

Librarians should be celebrated, not criminalized. Parents should be responsible for parenting, not the government. And the right to read should never, ever be up for debate.

XOXO, Jani