Talking points:
HB 2454 was recently presented for consideration. This legislation’s
goal is to censor the Tennessee Electronic Library and other online
resources used in Tennessee schools. Library databases are not dangerous
and this legislation is not needed - an email to the Tennessee
Electronic Library or to the vendors would start a review process. There
are already filters and protections in place for the databases used by
students in schools. HB 2454/SB2292 would impact what is available in
TEL databases for adults, colleges and universities, community colleges
and public libraries. Who will be censoring newspapers and archives
that are accessible to minors? It is essential that students learn to
navigate online databases, and that they have access to the resources
contained within them, in order to prepare for success in their careers
and college. Mastering these databases in K12 allows for students to be
college ready. Students often need access to college level materials to
complete their research papers and other assignments - this legislation
would censor those databases because minors have access to them through
dual enrollment, Advanced Placement classes and International
Baccalaureate courses. Complaints did not come from Tennessee students,
parents, teachers or librarians. Tell your state representatives and
senators why TEL is important to you, your students and your community.
Ask them to vote no for HB 2454.
Here are some additional talking points about HB2454/SB2292
*
Any database accessible by students would fall under this
legislation which includes newspapers, encyclopedias and archives.
*
This filtering bill is unnecessary as it does not acknowledge or
account for safeguards already in place.
*
Public schools that receive federal funds are already required under
Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA)to have filters in place on
school devices.
*
School boards adopt and implement acceptable use policies so that
parents and students understand and agree to appropriate digital
practices in school; violation of those policies results in a
disciplinary and, if needed, counseling referral.
*
The idea that students are using educational databases to access
pornography is simply false; these databases gather educational and
mainstream media resources for academic use.
*
It is essential that students learn to navigate online databases,
and that they have access to the resources contained within them, in
order to prepare for success in careers and college.
*
We support a parent’s right to filter their child’s home devices or
phones.
* Research databases include thousands of titles and millions of
articles. It is essential that students learn to navigate online
databases, and that they have access to the resources contained
within them, in order to prepare for success in their careers and
college. Mastering these databases in K12 allows for students to be
college ready. TEL recommends databases by grade levels but students
often need access to college level materials to complete their
research papers and other assignments.
* This bill is unnecessary as it does not reflect safeguards already
in place. Schools and public libraries must remain in compliance
with the federal Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA),
including use of utilize filtering technology to control internet
access, for continued eligibility for certain federal e-rate
funding. Here are the FCC rules
(https://www.in.gov/library/files/fccfinalrules.pdf
<https://www.in.gov/library/files/fccfinalrules.pdf>).
* Filtering is not perfect. Content filters are updated daily as new
sites are available but online vendors are willing to work with
libraries and schools to ensure students’ safety.
* The materials in question are not obscene or pornography. While
some of the content in question may be distasteful or not what that
parent would select for their child, the content is not what a
reasonable person would determine to be harmful to minors.
* School libraries have been underfunded across Tennessee for many
years and without TEL they would have no online resources.
* This bill originated from outside of TN and the TN Eagle Forum and
the bill’s sponsors are merely shopping around unnecessary
legislation from Colorado and Texas. Introducing bills without
talking to librarians or the Tennessee Electronic Library to
understand how the online resources work is irresponsible.
Thanks,
Bryan
On 3/29/22 15:12, Jennifer Pearson wrote:
>
> Talking points for each bill would be great if someone wants to send
> those to the list. Makes it a lot easier not only for us but for
> library advocates who want to call/email on our behalf. I could write
> them myself but if they exist—I don’t really want to/have time to
> reinvent the wheel as I’m sure someone out there has already created
> some which we could use and/or edit.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Jennifer
>
> Jennifer Pearson
>
> Director
>
> Marshall County Memorial Library
>
> Past President – Assoc. for Rural and Small Libraries
>
> 931-359-3335
>
> 614-296-2433 (mobile)
>
> [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
>
> *From:*Tennessee Library Association and other Tennessee librarians
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] *On Behalf Of *Bryan Jones
> *Sent:* Tuesday, March 29, 2022 2:56 PM
> *To:* [log in to unmask]
> *Subject:* Re: TLA CALL TO ACTION!!!
>
> I encourage all of you to complete the form below but go the extra
> step and contact your state reps directly. Especially if you live in
> rural counties. Folks are getting fed astro-turfed, coordinated
> talking points about 'obscene' books in libraries. Reps + senators
> need to hear from cooler heads.
>
> HB1944, a similar bill but dealing with physical collections in
> schools, passed in the House today. Now is the time to speak out.
>
> Thanks,
> Bryan Jones
> TLA IF Committee Co-chair
>
> On 3/27/22 21:18, Sharon Edwards wrote:
>
> Colleagues,
>
> If you've been keeping up with the emails our fantastic
> Legislative Monitor, Andrea Zielke, has been sending, then you are
> aware of the many bills threatening TN Libraries this session. One
> of these, HB 2454/ SB 2292 threatens to completely censor the
> Tennessee Electronic Library! This bill is on the House Admin
> Committee's calendar for this week, and we need your help to email
> the committee and urge them to vote against this bill.
>
> Please click this link to easily send an email to the entire
> committee and share it with as many library supporters as you can.
> https://cqrcengage.com/alatn/app/take-action?engagementId=514120
>
> All my best,
>
> *Sharon Kay Edwards, MSLS*
>
> President, Tennessee Library Association
> Policy Corps Member, Cohort II; American Library Association
>
