POCATELLO – A group that includes some state legislators from southeastern Idaho is planning a rally outside a library in Pocatello to show their support for librarians.

Senator James Ruchti and Representative Nate Roberts, both Democrats from Pocatello, and Mary Shay, a candidate for House Seat 29A, will gather with other concerned citizens outside the Marshall Public Library on Monday to protest a bill that creates a new process for restricting library materials. This will be the first day the law takes effect.

“It's meant to address a problem that doesn't exist,” Ruchti said. “This law gives the power to the most prudent person in our community and allows that person to set the standard for what books can be on the library shelves.”

At 5 p.m., people will gather outside the library at 113 South Garfield Avenue for a day of action against Bill 710. At the rally, Ruchti, Roberts and Shay will make some remarks about the bill, which they are calling the “Library Bounty Bill.”

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This law allows people to submit a written request to move an item in the library to an “adults only” or “restricted” section. If the library does not comply with the request within 60 days, the person who made the request can sue. This is separate from the review process already in place for libraries.

“(The legislation) invites people who are going to do a lot of mischief for political gain, to get attention,” Shay said. “All of this is going to ultimately take place on the backs of our city taxpayers and our county public library taxpayers. We're the ones who have to pay for this nonsense.”

Ruchti believes that the legislation opens the door to censorship of public libraries.

“It doesn't make sense that we give one individual in the community the power to set these standards. That's not how communities work,” Ruchti said.

Although the rally will take place in front of the building, the Marshall Public Library has not yet issued a statement on the law. Library management has only stated that it will fully comply with it. The rally is being organized by the Idaho Democratic Party.

“We don't speak for the libraries or the librarians – we just support them,” Shay said. She, Ruchti and Roberts have met with librarians to better understand their views and help them understand what the legislation requires of them.

“These are really hard-working officers,” Shay said. “They provide a lot of services that many of us don't even think about. We only think about lending books, and they do so much more for our communities.”

Both Ruchti and Shay say the reason the controversy surrounding libraries has heated up is because it has been a culture war issue.

“It's a sad day for Idaho that we're giving in to the far right and their desire to force these culture war issues on us,” Ruchti said.