JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Following a thorough review prompted by parental concerns, the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office has concluded its investigation into the Sora reading app and is satisfied that adequate parental protection resources are currently available for use by Missouri school districts. The investigation is closed.
The Overdrive Sora app, which supports digital reading access for students, receives $30,000 annually from the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office. A recent quarterly payment was temporarily held as the office investigated concerns regarding the availability of inappropriate material through the app. That payment has now been released.
“Our office takes seriously any concerns raised by Missouri parents and taxpayers,” said Secretary of State Denny Hoskins. “After working with stakeholders and reviewing the available safeguards, we believe there are sufficient tools in place to empower parents and educators to manage content access. However, there is always room for improvement and increased awareness.”
The Secretary of State’s Office encourages local libraries and school districts to explore additional training opportunities for staff and families to better understand and use parental protection tools embedded within digital platforms like Sora.
The Office also reminds the public that Missouri’s libraries and school districts operate under local control. Concerns or questions about the content available through school or public library programs should be directed to local library boards, school boards, or district administrators.
“We will continue to support transparency and parental involvement in library services,” Secretary Hoskins added. “Missouri families deserve to feel confident in the tools available to safeguard their children’s access to educational materials.”
If a parent or guardian believes a book or digital resource available through a public library is inappropriate, they may formally request a review through the local library or school district’s challenge process. Each public library and school system in Missouri maintains its own procedures for evaluating such requests, typically involving a review committee and a written decision. Individuals who wish to raise broader concerns or submit information to the Secretary of State’s Office may contact us directly at .
A resource guide is available to help the public understand the structure of these resources accurately.
Missouri State Library Digital Resource Guide
About the Missouri State Library
The Missouri State Library (MSL) is the official State Library of Missouri located in Jefferson City, Missouri. MSL provides library and reference services directly to the executive and legislative branches of the state’s government They support libraries in Missouri with resource sharing and continuing education programs as well as oversee state certification for public libraries They also oversee Missouri Digital Heritage with the Missouri State Archives.
They publish the Missouri Public Library Standards, maintain a directory of all the libraries in the state, the Wolfner News, and an e-newsletter called the Show Me Express They also create reference guides for other state agencies in Missouri. The Wolfner Talking Book and Braille Library is housed within the State Library and offers free library services to anyone who is unable to read print materials.
About the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office
The Missouri Secretary of State’s Office serves as a central hub for key state functions that promote transparency, security, and opportunity for all Missourians. The Office oversees the administration of fair and secure elections, registers and supports businesses, maintains and preserves state records through the State Archives, and ensures public access to government rulemaking via the Administrative Rules Division.
Additionally, the Office protects investors through the Securities Division, supports libraries and literacy programs across the state, and administers the Safe at Home address confidentiality program for survivors of abuse and assault. With a commitment to service, accountability, and civic engagement, the Secretary of State’s Office works every day to strengthen Missouri’s government and communities.
