BOISE, Idaho – Banned Books Week, a national awareness event held by the American Library Association to promote public access to literature, ended Saturday. A sweeping book ban limiting content with Black or LGBTQ+ characters continues to be enforced throughout Idaho.
The book ban, was drafted by the Idaho Family Policy Center to limit student access to books with Black, feminist or queer themes in school libraries.
“Together we will build an Idaho where God is honored, religious freedom flourishes, families thrive, and life is cherished,” a press release from the policy center said when the book ban became law.
The impact of the bans was immediately evident in the At the Donnelly Public Library, before their children are allowed into the building to look at books.
Notably, some Idaho libraries celebrated Banned Books Week with events and prizes. The Idaho Falls Public Library hosted Banned Books Bingo to mark the occasion, and the Library Alliance of North Idahocelebrated banned books …