A federal appeals court in Austin, Texas, has ruled that public library patrons in Llano County do not have a First Amendment right to challenge the removal of books from library shelves based on their content.
The court found that library officials have the discretion to determine the composition of library collections and that such decisions are not subject to First Amendment claims by patrons.
The decision did not identify the titles involved in the removals, nor did it establish guidelines for evaluating the appropriateness of materials in public libraries. It leaves book selection and removal to the judgment of library authorities.
The ruling is currently binding within the jurisdiction of the appeals court. Parties involved in the case may pursue additional legal steps, including appealing the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.
