Category: Censorship
Banned Books Week 2023: Programs, Day of Action, and More
Libraries, schools, bookstores, and groups around the world will be calling attention to censorship – and ways to fight it – October 1 – 7, 2023. The American Library Association […]
Prejudicial Book Rating Systems Are a Form of Censorship
By Deborah Caldwell-Stone, Joyce, McIntosh, and Eric Stroshane Recently, there have been numerous efforts to require the adoption of content rating systems for books provided to children and young adult […]
Prioritizing Intellectual Freedom & Privacy: Your Itinerary for ALA Annual 2023
Whether you’re a seasoned advocate or new to ALA Annual, we encourage you to prioritize the many events focusing on intellectual freedom and library privacy. In an era marked by rising censorship and attempts to limit intellectual freedom, it’s more crucial than ever for library workers to champion these fundamental principles of a healthy democracy.
Emerging Leaders Team at Work on IFRT Project
Four members of the 2023 ALA Emerging Leaders cohort are now at work on a research project for the Intellectual Freedom Round Table. The project team, made up of Maya Bergamasco, Paul McMonigle, Sarah Colbert and Rach Wells, recently sent a survey to the library associations of all 50 states. The goal is to use the information they gather to create a resource for librarians facing materials challenges.
St. Marys City Renews Library Lease
After months of debate, public protest, and letters of support from the Kansas Library Association, OIF, and ACLU of Kansas, the St. Marys City Commission voted to renew the lease for Pottawatomie Wabaunsee Regional Library for another year.
Viewing Anime Censorship at Your Library
This post provides a historical overview of anime censorship in North America before highlighting notable examples of anime censorship to include in library programming activities. Series mentioned include Cardcaptors, Robotech, Sailor Moon, Yu-Gi-Oh, and more!
Do People Who Fill Out “Request for Reconsideration” Forms Have a Right to Privacy?
Public records requests are a way for journalists and other interested parties to find out information about request for reconsideration forms that have been submitted to libraries and gain insight into book challenges that are happening at libraries near them. A legal debate in Colorado has raised the question of whether individuals submitting request for reconsideration forms are protected by library privacy laws or if their names and other identifying information is public record along with the rest of the request.
The Scapegoats of Status Quo
The growing conservative trend aiming to prosecute and punish educators and librarians for having materials that include ideas about racism, sex, and sexuality is in direct oppostition to the cause of “liberty” – a term often used by these same groups to justify their actions.
The Iranian Protests Are a Reminder of the Need for Praise of Salman Rushdie
We in libraries can do nothing to ameliorate Mr. Rushdie’s physical pain. We can and should, however, proudly display and recommend his works. To support Mr. Rushdie and to celebrate his works is not to attack a religion. It is only to excoriate, as we should, the mindless and soulless adherence to the wrong-headed, hateful, and evil interpretation of a religion promulgated by mere–and mistaken–men.
Digital Collections are Not Immune to Book Challenges
Providers of e-content such as Overdrive and Epic are no longer immune to book challenges – and in some counties, access is being cut off entirely.
One thought on “Censorship”
Katy Independent School District
Katy, Texas
Superintendent Dr. Lance Hindt
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Removed book due to parent complaints without following school board policy and procedures regarding challenged materials.
Articles:
https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/names/2017/12/01/the-hate-give-book-banned-texas-school-district/8C2XDJ2rGSK2jjwyajmKJK/story.html
https://bookriot.com/2017/12/01/the-hate-u-give-banned/
http://cbldf.org/2017/12/the-hate-u-give-banned-in-texas-school-district/
https://www.bookstr.com/hate-u-give-banned-katy-texas-public-school-district