Libraries

The U.S. Supreme Court let stand a ruling Monday that allows for the removal of books from a Llano public library. The removal of the books was ruled constitutional earlier this year and this week, the Supreme Court denied the request for a rehearing, effectively ending the years-long legal battle. The Trump Administration will be sending $12 billion to farmers to help them stay in business and compensate for their trade war losses, but Harvest Public Media's Frank Morris reports farmers worry most of the bailout money will go straight to banks and suppliers.

Seven residents launched a challenge in 2022 to the removal of 17 books, which included topics on race and gender. They won a reinstatement of the titles, but lost on appeal.

Bookmarked, based in North Texas, advertises itself as “antivirus for libraries.”

Early this week, Texas Tech’s athletics department announced it would no longer encourage or permit the throwing of tortillas during kickoffs at home football games. Our reporter Bishop Van Buren has more ahead of another home game this weekend. A 2023 Texas law demanding publishers rate their own books based on sexually explicit content has been declared unconstitutional.

Most of the COVID cases in the U.S. this August were the new Stratus variant. Our reporter Sean Ryan has more on the status of COVID-19 cases in Texas. Yesterday, the City of Lubbock cut the ribbon on a new Book Vending Machine at the Patterson Branch Library. Kids who participate in library programs will have the chance to win a token for a free book from the machine.

September is National Literacy Month and today is International Literacy Day. Our Sean Ryan reports on the nationwide and local push and to strengthen community learning. You can sign up for a card at any of the Lubbock Public Library locations or by visiting the website lubbocklibrary.com. Last week's budget discussion from Lubbock's city council ended with a 2.2% increase to the tax rate for homeowners. The council is expected to hold a final vote on the budget and tax rate in its meeting tomorrow.

SB 412 removes an established legal defense educators could use when it comes to inappropriate material in libraries and classrooms.

Last week, Texas Tech University’s president Lawrence Schovanec was named Big 12 Conference representative on the College Football Playoff Board of Managers. Our reporter Bishop Van Buren has more on what the position entails. Texas school districts have until September 1 to comply with Senate Bill 13. KERA’s Bill Zeeble explains the new library law, which critics worry could become a book ban policy.

The City of Lubbock libraries have partnered with Reliant Energy to open Beat the Heat cooling centers. They will formally begin when the National Weather Service forecasts three or more days in a row above 104 degrees. The centers will be at all four of Lubbock's public libraries during normal operating hours. Our reporter Sean Ryan has more on what the centers have to offer.

Yesterday was the last day of the 89th Texas Legislature. A bill was approved by the House and Senate to remove challenged books from public school libraries until a decision is made on if they are appropriate. The Texas Newsroom’s Lucio Vasquez reports on another public education bill which missed a key legislative deadline. The bill would have replaced the STAAR test for public schools. Drivers should be aware of temporary road closures and a large number of emergency personnel around Atkins Middle School during its emergency exercise this morning until noon.