Iowa District Removes 19 Books After ChatGPT Finds "Description or Depiction of a Sex Act" | Censorship News

An Iowa school district asked ChatGPT to find books in its collection that had sexual content, Fort Worth ISD closes libraries for inventory after board removes three titles, "Heartstopper" books pulled in Mississippi, and John Green's 'Fault in Our Stars' may return to YA section in Indiana.

Iowa School District Uses ChatGPT to Help Remove Library Books | Popular Science
Mason City (IA) Community School District administrators first compiled a master list of commonly challenged books, then removed all those challenged for reasons other than sexual content. For remaining titles within Mason City’s collections, administrators asked ChatGPT the specific language of Iowa’s new law, “Does [book] contain a description or depiction of a sex act?” If the answer was yes, the book was removed from circulation and stored. ChatGPT flagged 19 books.

Fort Worth ISD To Close Campus Libraries for Several Days | NBC News
Fort Worth, TX, students will not be allowed in school libraries for several days for an inventory after a school board decision to remove three books.

Calls for LGBTQ Book Ban in Rio Rancho Seemingly Backfire | KOB4
In a tweet, a New Mexico group called for followers to show up at a Rio Rancho (NM) Public Library board meeting to “defend the heterosexual nuclear family.” But the tweet ended up having the opposite effect, as most people who signed up for public comment were against banning books.

Texas County Bans Minors from Checking Out LGBTQ Library Books | Metro Weekly
Montgomery County, TX,  officials have approved a policy barring minors from checking out LGBTQ-themed books, which are considered "explicit" material, from its seven public libraries.

Library Board President Cites 'Error' in Removing 'The Fault in Our Stars' From Teen Section | WTHR YouTube
The John Green title may be headed back to the young adult section of an Indiana library after its removal sparked controversy.

Book Battles are Raging Nationwide. A WA Library Could Be Nation's First to Close | Seattle Times
In November, voters could close the only library in Columbia County, WA, the result of a yearlong dispute over the placement of young adult books that address gender, sexuality, and race.

'Heartstopper' Books Temporarily Removed from Mississippi Public Library| NBC News
The LGBTQ young adult graphic novel series was taken off the shelves in a Marion County, MS, library following resident complaints.

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