The Toll of Ongoing Rancor: How Librarians, Kids, and the Country Pay

The battle over books in Livingston Parish, Louisiana, has escalated into harassment and threats against librarians defending a diverse selection of books. Librarians are being shouted down, vilified, and even reported to the police, leaving many fearing for their safety. The intense backlash has led to an exodus of librarians, leaving libraries short-staffed and driving up the human, civic, and financial costs of the battle over books.