Publishing Perspectives summarizes an Eighth Circuit ruling that, in advocates' reading, gives schools broad leeway to remove library books when they can frame the decision as serving educational goals - what PEN and others warn will accelerate informal censorship.
Freedom-to-read groups argue the standard invites districts to clear shelves preemptively to avoid fights, especially around LGBTQ+ titles and race. For authors and teachers, the practical effect is chill: librarians may default to safe stacks when the law rewards caution.
(Shortened and summarised to avoid devaluing the source)