Federal Judge Blocks Arkansas Law Targeting Librarians Over 'Harmful' Materials

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A federal judge struck down key parts of an Arkansas law Monday that could have criminalized librarians and booksellers for providing materials deemed “harmful” to minors. U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks ruled the law unconstitutional, emphasizing that it could lead to censorship driven by fear of prosecution.

The law, signed by Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders in 2023, included provisions for relocating challenged library materials to sections inaccessible to children. Brooks argued the measure would likely result in over-censorship, limiting library content to material deemed suitable for young children.

A coalition, including the Central Arkansas Library System, challenged the law, fearing its impact on access to books. Holly Dickson, executive director of the ACLU of Arkansas, hailed the ruling as a victory for free thought and against intimidation.

Supporters, including Gov. Sanders, vowed to appeal, asserting that Act 372 was a “common sense” measure to keep inappropriate material away from children. Laws with similar aims have been enacted in other conservative-led states, such as Iowa, Indiana, and Texas.