DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa House Republicans moved a bill through the subcommittee level that would remove obscenity exemptions for public libraries and educational institutions.

The bill is just a single sentence, removing the current language from Iowa code. It was moved out of the education subcommittee in a partisan vote of 2 to 1.

“I don’t think that is something a reasonable person would want in the kids or teens section of the library. If that’s the kind of thing you like to read it’s a free country, you are free to buy it, it’s not that expensive. Why can’t I be free of paying for it,” said Chris Campbell, from Ames.

“It’s your right not to come to the library. Just because there are people out there that you do not agree with doesn’t mean they are wrong or they are bad. It means that you don’t agree with them. We cannot let a little group of people decide what the rest of us want,” said Nicole, a librarian from Iowa.

Some others who participated in public comment discussed their concerns of librarians being held criminally responsible if the exemption was removed for showing obscene materials to minors in a library or educational setting.

The bill moves up now to the House Education Committee where more discussion will be had on the implications of the bill.

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