Head of Brown County Library Feels State Bill Alerting Parents Regarding Material Checked Out by Children Not Necessary

Thursday, January 11th, 2024 -- 9:00 AM

(Jonah Beleckis, Wisconsin Public Radio) Proposed mandates to alert parents about any library materials checked out by their children are unneeded, according to the head of a "Library of the Year" in the state.

According to Jonah Beleckis with Wisconsin Public Radio, already at public libraries, parents often must give permission for kids to get library cards and parents may see what their children are checking out, Brown County Library executive director Sarah Sugden said in a recent interview on WPR’s "The Morning Show."

"We feel there are good safeguards in place ensuring that parents, caregivers and guardians have the control that they should have," Sugden said. Republican-backed proposals in the state Legislature would require public librarians and school librarians to notify parents about check-outs for children who are younger than 16.

State Rep. Barbara Dittrich, R-Oconomowoc, introduced the bills and previously told WPR that parents know best what material is suitable for their children. On "The Morning Show," Sugden agreed that parents should be informed about what their children are checking out, she just believes parents already can through existing practices.

"We know that parents and guardians are children’s first and best teachers," she said. "We don’t want to interfere with that responsibility and those rights of parents and caregivers. So, that’s why we have those policies already in place to ensure those."

The Wisconsin Library Association picked the Brown County Library system as its 2023 winner for the year’s top library, calling it "a true community asset" to Brown County. In addition to the central library, the system features eight branches and a bookmobile.

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