NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Beginning May 6, parents or guardians of youth ages 17 and under with New Orleans Public Library cards will need to visit their library location to update the permissions on their youths’ cards.
These changes to youth cards are a result of Louisiana Revised Statute 25:225. The statute, which was passed during the 2023 Louisiana legislative session, says that libraries must have a procedure in place for preventing youth from checking out items that its community says are inappropriate for youth or the library cannot receive community funding.
“In order for us to be in compliance with the law, parents or guardians now have to decide what their children or teens have access to at the library,” said Emily Painton, the library’s executive director and City Librarian. “We hope that these changes spark conversations between adults and the youth in their care about what media is appropriate for them to read, watch, and consume.”
Parents and guardians must decide what check-out permissions they want for their children from the following options:
Option 1: all Library materials
Option 2: Library materials except physical materials that the Library Board has deemed sexually explicit, as defined by R.S. 25:225
Option 3: Library materials except physical materials that the Library Board has deemed sexually explicit, as defined by R.S. 25:225, and all digital materials that are available for checkout
Option 4: Library materials except for all digital materials that are available for checkout
Physical materials may include books, movies, and CDs. Digital materials may include e-books, e-audiobooks, streaming music, and streaming video.
If parents or guardians do not visit a library location to update the permissions on their youth cards, they will notice that their youth card will begin restricting access to digital materials on May 30. To gain access to digital materials, they need to visit a library location to update their child’s permissions.
“This transition is a big one for our youth library cardholders,” Heather Riley, director of public services, said. “We understand that it may be confusing, but the library is prepared to help our patrons make the best decisions for their families.”
The New Orleans Public Library organizes materials by subject and in age-appropriate sections including children’s and young adult areas. Librarians do not include adult materials in the children’s section. As required by this new law, the library added this system to allow parents or guardians to restrict their children’s access to physical and digital library materials.
The library suggests the following tips to help children and teens make the best use of their library:
· Encourage your children to think about the library as a place to get answers to questions, as well as to find interesting things to read for fun. By asking questions and learning to find their own answers, young people learn to think for themselves and analyze what they see and hear.
· Talk to your librarians. Your librarian will ask you and your child questions, then make suggestions based on your child’s age, maturity level, knowledge, and interest. When you can’t go along, ask your children to talk with you about what they found at the library.
· Children are generally not attracted to materials that are too advanced for their reading or maturity levels. If you feel an item is too advanced or not appropriate for your child, use this as an opportunity to express your views and provide guidance. Discuss your family expectations regarding library use with your children.
· Sometimes young people seek information from libraries when they are embarrassed or uncomfortable about asking an adult. Factual information from the library can ease their fears and even keep them safe from harm. Remember that when a child is reading or viewing something, it does not mean they are participating in or approve of it. Children and teens are sometimes more comfortable learning about a topic from someone else’s experience in a book or movie. If you have a concern, take the opportunity to discuss it.
· Be a role model for library use. Nothing teaches children better than seeing you use and enjoy the wide range of materials available and talking about how you make your own choices.
For more information on our Collection Development Policy, visit nolalibrary.org/policies. For more information on the changes to youth Library cards, ask a librarian at ask.nolalibrary.org