banned books

The state Board of Education on Wednesday approved a new rule that will lead to Florida officials publishing an annual list of library books and instructional materials that have drawn public objections, in a move that the board’s chairman said will “provide transparency for our families.”

The Escambia County School Board will hear public comments and vote on removing four more challenged books on Monday evening.

Banned Books Week begins Sept. 18, and according to the American Library Association, this year is on track to surpass last year’s record of challenged library materials. But this week, access to reading materials expanded in Escambia County with the opening of the Bellview Library — the first in the county’s District 1.

Over 700 people have signed an online petition to allow discussions on race in the classroom after it was reported that excerpts from the book “White…