LLANO COUNTY, Texas — Oral arguments began Tuesday in a federal appeals court hearing over a book ban battle in Llano County.
Back in 2021, Llano County officials ordered the removal of 17 titles from a public library over concerns the books were obscene. Some of the books dealt with LGBTQ+ and racial topics.
In April 2022, seven residents sued numerous library system officials and the county government for restricting books in the public library system. In March 2023, a U.S. district judge ordered the 17 books be returned to library shelves while a citizen lawsuit against book banning proceeded, but that ruling was put on hold during an appeal.
In June of this year, a panel of federal appeals court judges ruled that eight of the 17 books must be returned to library shelves in Llano County.
Advocates argue removing books based solely on their content goes against the First Amendment and sends a dangerous message about government censorship. Earlier this month, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said the hearing now underway would be the first time a federal appeals court would decide what First Amendment standards govern the removal of books from public libraries.
Brian Klosterboer, an attorney for the ACLU of Texas, said the case has the potential to make it to the U.S. Supreme Court and could have an impact on book restrictions nationwide.
The hearing is being held at the Federal Appeals Court in New Orleans.
Below is some of KVUE's previous coverage of the book removals in Llano County:
- 'Flagrantly unconstitutional' | Advocates urge federal court to protect access amid Llano County book ban battle
- Federal appeals court judges say Llano County must return eight books to library shelves
- 'Seems obscene' says federal appeals court judge during hearing for Llano County library book removal case
- Llano County residents react to commissioners' move to keep libraries open
- Book ban lifted in Llano County in federal judge ruling leads to discussion on keeping library open
- Llano County residents sue officials, library director, board members to end book bans
