The startup that turned Texas’s book ban law into big business

In 2023, Steve Wandler, a Canadian entrepreneur, founded Bookmarked in Texas, aiming to help schools manage library collections and increase parental oversight. Bookmarked supported Senate Bill 13, which restricted books in libraries, and spent heavily lobbying for its passage. Critics viewed the bill as censorship, fearing its impact on library collections and free speech. Bookmarked then marketed its software, OnShelf, to help schools comply with SB 13 by identifying potentially problematic titles. OnShelf's AI engine gathers data on challenged books, potentially influencing district decisions. The software faced criticism, with some perceiving it as a tool for censorship and a solution to a non-existent problem. While some districts find the software helpful for compliance amidst increasing book challenges, others found the provided information unreliable. Wandler admits the platform has imperfections, clarifying it provides information, not directives. Bookmarked is currently rebuilding its product to help districts navigate the complex approval workflow of SB 13.