Since the General Assembly overrode the governor’s veto of HB 805 this summer passing it into law, teachers across North Carolina have faced a difficult choice: maintain classroom libraries that foster a love of reading but risk public scrutiny, or clear their shelves to avoid controversy. Effective this school year, the new law requires every classroom book to be cataloged online so parents can review titles and restrict their child’s access if desired–a task that, while intended to promote transparency, has placed yet another administrative burden on educators.
Access to books is one of the strongest predictors of academic success; educators know this, and go through great lengths to procure and curate classroom libraries that meet the needs of their students. They are required to align instructional materials and lesson plans with academic standards and district protocols, ensuring that their students receive high-quality instruction. They are observed, evaluated, and monitored regularly by school and district staff, and partner with parents and families to fully support the development of the whole child.
The Cost of Compliance
Already balancing lesson planning, data analysis, IEP meetings, and supervision duties, teachers must now log hundreds–sometimes thousands–of books into a digital database. To meet compliance, school districts are scrambling to issue guidance and support. Some principals have extended building hours into evenings and weekends, while parent volunteers have stepped in to assist. Even so, many teachers are spending valuable time away from instructional preparation, and some have opted to remove their classroom libraries entirely rather than risk noncompliance or backlash.
At a time when districts are already navigating a federal shutdown, delayed state budget, and uncertainty of funding streams, HB 805 illuminates the cumulative weight of unfunded mandates on public schools. When policies add workload without resources, they not only diminish teachers’ capacity to focus on student learning, but they also jeopardize North Carolina’s ability to attract and retain the talented professionals essential to strong schools. Protecting the teacher pipeline isn’t just a matter of supporting educators–it’s an investment in North Carolina’s students, communities, and economic future.
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