Intellectual Freedom News 4/3/2020
In response to the need to support remote access to information during the COVID-19 outbreak, ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman is making materials easier to access through the following promotions. Institutions interested in offers outside the ALA Store should contact their vendor representative directly.
Woody Allen’s Book Cancellation is Apropos of Today’s Discourse
The ability to stymy humiliation, to withhold judgement about intellectual pursuits is a pillar of intellectual freedom. Hachette’s recent move to cancel Woody Allen’s memoir represents an irreparable crack in this pillar as it buckles to sentiments anathema to an adult’s right to read.
COVID 19: Health care crisis and mis-information
As librarians, we can help during this current outbreak by curating lists of reliable sources and, as much as possible, being available (in many cases remotely) to provide reference services and point our users to reliable sources. We can continue to do what we always do – serve as touchstones for patrons looking for reliable information in a time of stress. We can do our best to help them sort through the bad and misleading information and promote the more reliable information.
Intellectual Freedom 3/27/20
“Pandemic Preparedness: Resources for Libraries” provides information about preparing for a pandemic, including library-specific policy suggestions and more universal resources on pandemic education, prevention and preparation.
Happy Birthday, Ellen Hopkins!
Ellen Hopkins is a frequently challenged author of young adult books. March 26th is her birthday and we would like to celebrate with this blog post! Ellen’s work has helped shatter societal stigma against people with substance abuse disorder, among other mental health issues.
Green-Dots Mean Go, Part Two: An Interview with Kate Klise, Author of Don’t Check Out This Book!
By: guest contributor Brian E. Wilson, ALSC Liaison for the ALA Committee on Professional Ethics. Acclaimed children’s author Kate Klise talks about how Cathy Evans’ “green dot collection” inspired her and her sister M. Sarah Klise to create the hilarious and inventive new novel, Don’t Check Out This Book!.
Libraries Promoting Reflective Dialogue in a Time of Political Polarization: A Conversation with the Editors
The book is a way to explore the many ways that we can hold true to endowing librarianship to encourage a spirited inquiry and encourage more listening.
Advocating for our patrons
Overall, going to legislative advocacy day was a really positive experience. I think it is important for librarians to speak up about the importance of libraries and the needs of our patrons. Many of our patrons – especially in school libraries – can’t speak up for themselves about what they need. In today’s fiscal climate, I think we need to speak up to make sure we can continue to serve our patrons’ needs.
Intellectual Freedom News 3/20/2020
“The ALA Executive Board is committed to supporting our library workers, ALA members, and the communities we serve during these challenging and uncertain times.”
Requests for Reconsideration at the Public Library Part Two: Growing Bodies
It’s the right of any parent to determine the best time to talk about sensitive issues with their children but we need titles that talk about bodies from as young as pre-k picture books. It is up to the parent to determine what titles are appropriate for their children and this specific title is age-appropriate in the children’s section.