Just realized my local library's book filtering software blocked more than I thought

I signed up for the library in Austin last month and started using their online catalog app. Noticed I couldn't find any books about politics or current events that were critical of the city council. Figured they were just out of stock. After a week I asked a librarian about it and she showed me their content filter for "juvenile protection." I'm 37. Turns out they had it set to automatically hide anything tagged with "controversial" or "divisive" which covered a ton of non-fiction. I got them to turn it off for my account, but how many other people just assume those books aren't there? Has anyone else found hidden filters in public resources near you?

3 comments

3 Comments

claire_grant341mo ago

Ngl @owens.anthony, I think you're missing the bigger picture here.

owens.anthony1mo ago

Hold up, that's not really how library content filters usually work...

jamieb801mo ago

Nah man, the filters catch way more than people realize once you actually watch what gets blocked.