Nacogdoches ISD moves forward with library advisory committee for book selections

NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KTRE) - East Texas school districts are making plans for a new state law that would create a public catalog of what books are in the libraries and classrooms. Senate Bill 13 allows school districts to decide which books are permitted in their school libraries. The law goes into effect on September 1.

Nacogdoches ISD Superintendent, Gray Burton said the district is working on updating several campus library catalogs. They will also add books from teachers’ classrooms as of Monday.

The district decided to establish a library advisory committee to review these books at Thursday’s school board meeting.

“Anytime anybody makes a recommendation they want a book looked at, the committee will convene and look at those,” he explained.

Burton hopes to see the committee include educators, parents, and community members.

“To get as many voices as we can together. Work together and decide what’s best for the district,” he said.

The district is waiting for direction from the state on how large the committee will be and how the board will appoint members. The committee must review book removal recommendations before deciding to remove a book either by grade level or district-wide.

“It may be okay for middle school or high school or it may not be appropriate for any kid. Those are the kind of things they will be looking at,” said Burton.

Once a book has been approved to be pulled out, Burton said it would be removed indefinitely. The public can access the district’s library catalog online.

“We’re going to be very transparent, very open about this whole process. We really want what’s best for all kids. In order to do that, we have to include all people,” said Burton.