I understand that they are public institutions, but there is a crucial distinction. When you say "the government wants to ban arms/restrict free speech" I assume you mean the state or federal government wants to introduce a new law. Whereas in this case it was the parents who were concerned and asked relevant institutions. It doesn't matter if the books promote violence against minorities or LGBT+ themes, if parents of the kids feel uncomfortable with them and use a lawful process to limit their kids exposure to them in education, I find it quite an exaggeration to say that "the government does it." Or maybe it's become common usage to call local initiatives government, I don't know.