For the third time in four years, the advocacy of Illinois librarians has helped thwart attempts by conservative state lawmakers to allow each of Illinois's 102 counties to define what constitutes obscenity. Neither HB 600 nor SB 552 cleared key procedural hurdles before legislative deadlines, and are effectively dead for this session.
"ILA formed a broad-based coalition that included over 30 national and state organizations," Illinois Library Association Executive Director Robert P. Doyle told American Libraries. Such a coalition was achievable, he believes, because the association did not seek an exemption for libraries—a move that would have "alienated potential allies."
Noting that "everyone [in the coalition] wants our government to act with due care when dealing with our most fragile First Amendment rights," ILA President Carolyn Anthony testified before the House Judiciary Criminal Law Committee February 26 that such a law would jeopardize the integrity of multicounty library systems and resource sharing, as well as the legal provision of Internet services.
Posted April 5, 1999.