Category: Diversity
Student Action Results in Decision by School Board to “Unfreeze” Anti-Racist Resources in Central York, PA
An anti-racist, educational resource list was “frozen” until it could be vetted by the Central York School District board. In August 2021, the Central York High School principal sent an email to teachers, with the subject line, “Banned Resources,” and instructions to “Please see the attached list of resources that are not permitted to be utilized in the classroom.”
Banned Indigenous Authors
The battle over what to call the second Monday in October, Columbus Day or Indigenous People’s Day, has been long standing and bitter. Today is a day that celebrates heritage: the heritage of Indigenous nations and also the heritage of Italian-Americans. That being said, Indigenous authors have been consistently under fire and that is what I would like to focus on today.
Press “Pause” and Prepare: The Trend Toward Book Challenges
Guest blog post by Martha Hickson. Although certain titles are trendy targets now, book challenges will be an issue for the long run. That’s because, ultimately, no book is the perfect fit for every reader, especially works that tackle difficult topics reflecting real-world circumstances. But one reader’s objection is not a license to restrict all other readers from the book.
Celebrating Banned Authors During Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic American Heritage Month takes place each year from September 15-October 15. Initially started in 1968 by President Lyndon B. Johnson as Hispanic Heritage Week, it was expanded to […]
Intellectual Freedom Censorship After Banned Books Week
Examining the top 10 challenged books of 2020 during Banned Books Week reveals deeper and more widespread attempts to limit intellectual freedom.
When Education Standards Stereotype, Marginalize, and Eliminate Indigenous Peoples
South Dakota’s Department of Education eliminates numerous proposed revisions to its Social Studies standards related to the Oceti Sakowin in favor of a more “honest, patriotic” curriculum.
Get Active: New IFRT Chair Rhonda Evans Shares Her Plans, Priorities, and Passion
Rhonda Evans rose from ALA Emerging Leader to Chair of the Intellectual Freedom Round Table in just one year – and shows no signs of slowing down. She brings expertise, energy, and encouragement to her new IFRT leadership role, and invites all library workers to get involved in intellectual freedom issues. Keep reading to learn about Evans’s journey, perspectives on intellectual freedom, and priorities as IFRT Chair for 2021-22.
The School Library Journal’s Survey on Weeding: An Analysis
The School Library Journal’s survey on children’s/YA collection development and weeding, published this past June, paints the picture one would expect: circulation of print materials was down 73%, circulation of ebooks was up 91%, and both public and school libraries decided to purchase more digital materials. However, the report did contain at least one surprising piece of information: a “quarter of respondents…say their weeding criteria have changed over the last few years.” One reason for these changes? A growing “awareness of unconscious racial bias, inclusion and diversity.”
LGBTQ+ Mis/Disinformation Is a Public Health and Safety Issue
The inaugural Social Media Safety Index report from GLAAD, when combined with recent anti-LGBTQ+ education legislation, reveals that LGBTQ+ mis/disinformation has created public health and safety issues based on an unsound free speech argument.
How and Why Libraries Should Strive to Create Safe, Culturally Responsive Spaces
Although diversity and representation have long been core tenets of the library profession, recent research in racial trauma and lasting physical, psychological, and social effects reinforces the unique role of the librarian in serving youth communities.