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).
- 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:
[log in to unmask]">
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
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:
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.
President,
Tennessee
Library
Association
Policy Corps
Member, Cohort
II; American
Library
Association