OPEN LETTER TO THE ARKANSAS STATE LEGISLATURE - PLEASE PROTECT OUR CHILDREN FROM SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MATERIALS
Dear Legislators,
Please find below a link to the Arkansas Library Board Meeting recording from the meeting held today, 11/08/2024. I have included recording notes to help you view important parts of the discussion.
Recording Link:
youtu.be/QQgQs-dLEuY?si=O05c…
Arkansas State Library Board Meeting
Recording 11/08/2024, 10:00am
1. Discussion of ASLB board duties and authority:
5:25 to 14:48
2. Motion to promulgate rules to amend ASLB board policies to withhold funds from libraries that do not protect children from sexually explicit materials:
14:49 to 27:50
3. Motion to allow public comments and testimony from 8 citizens (2 library employees) - 6 citizen speakers favored ASLB protecting children from sexually explicit materials- the 2 library directors did not.
36:53 to 1:30
4. Jason Rapert’s response to non-action and urging the Arkansas legislature to abolish the board: 1:24:55 - 1:30
5. Board chair and vice chair nominations and vote:
1:31 - 1:33:30
6. Addition of agenda items at next meeting for discussion of American Library Association and discussion on amending policies to withhold funding from libraries that do not protect children from sexually explicit materials:
2:39 - 2:40:32
As you will clearly see and hear in this recording, the majority of citizens speaking at this meeting want children to be protected from sexually explicit materials being accessible in public libraries to protect minor children. You will also see that for the 4th time and final meeting of our Arkansas State Library Board for 2024, 5 members of the 7 member board refuse to take any action to promulgate policies or rules to protect minor children by withholding taxpayer funds from libraries unwilling to do something to protect kids from sexually explicit materials.
After spending 1 year on this board, I am of the opinion that the state of Arkansas would be better served if the Arkansas Legislature would abolish the board completely and turn over all responsibility and authority for distributing the library funding to the Secretary of Education and the Department of Education. Each appointed member of this 7 member board is appointed to serve a 7 year term. It will take years for Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to replace enough members on this board to make a difference. The children of Arkansas need the Arkansas Legislature to take a stand. Parents trust that they can allow their children to enjoy public libraries without them being subjected to sexually explicit materials. I implore the members of the Arkansas legislature to take action to abolish this board and turn over the authority to the Secretary of Education and the Department of Education, or at a minimum abolish the board and reconstitute it as we have done with other boards while I served in the Arkansas legislature.
I have faith that there is a majority of members in the Arkansas legislature with common sense and a good moral compass to do the right thing.
Please advise if I can be of assistance in any way.
Sincerely,
Jason Rapert
Founder & President
National Association of Christian Lawmakers
christianlawmakers.com
Arkansas State Senate, Senator 2011-2023
Arkansas State Library Board, Member 2023-Present
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