Texas school librarians and educators are increasingly hesitant to discuss or order new books for classroom and school libraries, citing statewide efforts to restrict titles. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick urged school administrators in August to remove nearly 2,200 books from libraries, referencing an extensive list compiled by the Christian conservative activist group Recover America.
Patrick described the books on the list as "filthy" and "so pornographic," asserting that tax dollars should not be spent on them for students. Bonnie Wallace, Recover America’s legislative liaison, stood alongside Patrick during his announcement at the Texas Capitol and had previously discussed school libraries with him on his podcast, where they characterized the books as "horrific," "so ugly," and "extremely sexually explicit." Patrick stated he would not allow his children or grandchildren to read the materials, framing them as "the undermining of family values that's going on in the left." Wallace agreed, stating the books' proponents "hate God. They hate family."
This push for tighter restrictions is part of a broader, years-long effort by conservative activists and lawmakers to reshape students’ educational experience in Texas. This includes filtering out what they describe as progressive ideals while incorporating Christian-based lessons. Earlier this summer, the State Board of Education updated required reading lists for public schools, mandating certain Bible stories. Last year, new Texas laws required public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms and establish processes for challenging library books.
Librarians and educators, however, contend that this focus on censoring themes makes their job of fostering a love of reading difficult. They report being scared of buying new books and hesitant to encourage students to read certain novels. Frank Strong, an English teacher at an Austin charter school, noted that some books like "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" resonate deeply with students, to the point of disappearing from his shelves. Strong now worries he may not be able to keep such books, stating, "When you put your finger on every single book in order to type it into a spreadsheet, you really do think, ‘Am I willing to lose my job over this particular book?’ And I think that is a real concern for teachers around the state.”
Some titles on Recover America’s list have been part of Texas lessons for years, including "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen and "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou. Other popular classics, such as "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde and "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes, are also listed, as are stories centered on historical events like "Night," which is about the Holocaust. Conversely, some books on the list, like "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov and "Fifty Shades of Grey" by E. L. James, are titles librarians say schools would not typically carry, raising questions about their inclusion. Strong and others believe many books on the list are included for political messaging, often exploring LGBTQ+ and race issues, rather than for genuinely sexual content.
New state laws, such as Senate Bill 13, grant school boards the authority to approve and remove books based on complaints. This has created a longer and more tedious process for librarians to catalog and procure books. To avoid conflict, some school districts have paused purchasing new books entirely. According to responses to public information requests made by Carolyn Foote, co-founder of Texas FReadom Fighters, Lubbock ISD, for instance, made no book orders from August 2025 to February 2026, citing the implementation of SB 13.
Shirley Robinson, executive director of the Texas Library Association, stated that districts statewide have been inundated with similar appeals, consuming significant administrative time. She noted that some advocacy groups "file hundreds of book challenges in their libraries, so it’s really changed the climate of what it means to be a librarian in the state of Texas." Lubbock ISD Superintendent Kathy Rollo defended some books during a special board meeting, emphasizing that the district's policy is "based on current law, and parental rights and transparency are a dominant theme." She confirmed some books were removed from elementary and middle schools but retained in high schools.
Lt. Gov. Patrick, who is up for reelection in November, is pushing for a new law that would link a school’s annual academic accountability ratings to its compliance with book removal directives. He warned, "It’s the law, and we expect you to follow the law. So we’re coming for the books." If schools fail multiple years, the state could seize control of a district.
