Mom's search for book exposes real consequences of library law restricting kids' reading choices

In a small Idaho town, a simple trip to the local library turned into something no one expected—an experience that left a mother feeling both sad and frustrated. What was supposed to be a regular outing, something many of us remember from our own childhoods, revealed a bigger problem. Carly Anderson (@carlyjdot), a mother of three from Idaho Falls, a town in the southeastern part of the state, shared her concern in a video saying, “Kids have lost access to public libraries. That sounds dramatic, but this is a real-life story that happened to us yesterday in Idaho.”

Scarlett, Carly's daughter, had just finished reading "The Hobbit" and was excited to start "The Fellowship of the Ring." She asked her mom for help finding the book and the family headed to the upstairs section of the library where all its treasures awaited. But as they climbed the stairs, they were suddenly stopped by a large sign that said, “STOP.” The sign explained that kids under 18 couldn’t go upstairs unless they had a special library card or a parent with them to sign a form. The mother was surprised by this and thought they would be fine since she was there with her children. “Okay, so I hand over the cards,” she said, thinking that would solve the issue. She even showed her ID to prove she was old enough, assuming that would be the end of it.

But it wasn’t that simple. The problem wasn’t just with Scarlett. It was with Daphne, her toddler sister. “Cause Daphne isn’t old enough. Because I’m holding a baby,” the mother explained. The librarians then asked if Daphne had her own library card. “I’m like, she can’t even sign her name on the back of the card—no, she doesn’t have a library card,” Carly shared.

The librarians, who were kind and clearly uncomfortable with the rules, had no choice but to enforce them. After all, it’s their job to help people find books, not turn them away. But because the baby didn’t have a library card, they couldn’t go upstairs together. “So, anyways,” the mother said, “they told me I wasn’t allowed in the library with her unless she had a library card or I signed an affidavit.” In the end, Scarlett went in alone while her mom and little Daphne stood at the entrance, watching as a librarian helped Scarlett find the book she wanted. 

What made it worse for Carly was thinking about other kids. “What about these kids that aren’t coming in with parents? What about the Matildas out there that literally come to the library to just read, read and read, and then gain superpowers ’cause they’re Matilda?” the mother wondered aloud. "What about the Hermiones of there that find amazing answers because they go into the restricted section of the library?"

As the family left the library that day, the mother couldn’t shake the sadness she felt. “I just-I’m shocked that we’re doing this, Idaho. It’s depressing,” she added. It’s a feeling many of us might share as we think about what these small moments mean for the future of our children and the simple joys they might be missing out on. 

The video had many social media users commenting and sharing their experiences. "The Matildas and Hermiones won’t even know who Matilda and Hermione are because they’re not allowed into the library to get their books," said @mnreadingmama. "When I was a kid, the public library had air-conditioning when our house didn’t. I lived in the library during summer breaks. My heart breaks for this," commented @sc87653o9. "Trust me as a library director in Alabama, we’re all sick of it they tried to push something similar here," added @dayevolunteer. "That’s actually insane. Now, do I want my kid picking up Acotar or Fourth Wing thinking it’s a cute silly little fantasy... no. But LOTR (Lord of the Rings) or Harry Potter? What?! And because you had a baby?! That’s insane," added @shanaddisyn. 

You can follow Carly Anderson (@carlyjdot) on TikTok for more lifestyle content.