Intellectual Freedom News 7/19/19
IFRT Emerging Leaders videos engage non-librarians; ACLU, other groups criticize Leander’s proposed library policies; Publishers change ebook and audiobook policies; libraries look for answers; John Paul Stevens had ‘indelible’ commitment to the First Amendment
‘Yesterday’ as an Open Access Movie
What does a movie about Beatles music have to do with the Open Access movement? According to this blogger, everything! (Spoilers within.)
LGBTQ displays: Everything is political, but not everything is partisan.
In response to a challenge to a LGBTQ display in Maine, I argue that LGBTQ are mainstream parts of today’s culture (not a “far left” agenda as the challengers argued), that creating LGBTQ displays is still a political act, just as choosing not to create those displays would be.
Libraries, Litigation and Legislation
The boundary between aesthetics and prurience has ebbed and flowed throughout history. And today’s anti-obscenity legal landscape is evidence of this undying wave cresting in our modern day. But perhaps if we break historical barriers, and view this as a relationship without walls, calmer waters surely lie ahead.
A Molehill Made Mountain: Manga and the Struggle for Shelf Space
Very much to the chagrin of advocates for intellectual freedom and champions against censorship everywhere, the book was pulled and made unavailable to any readers in that particular system. There’s really no two ways to argue what transpired: Information had been stifled and barriers erected to prevent it from reaching the public.
Intellectual Freedom News 7/12/19
Removed books have been returned to the Danville Correctional Center; The future of ebook pricing: ALA concerned over recent changes in publisher strategy; How do we protect our kids’ data and privacy
“How Dare They Take Away My Right To Education?” Happy birthday, Malala Yousafzai!
On July 12, the world celebrates the birthday of Nobel Peace Prize-winning activist, author, and speaker, Malala Yousafzai. While perhaps most widely known for being shot in the head by a member of the Taliban on the way home from school and surviving, Malala was an outspoken advocate of girls’ rights and education before that. Make plans for the children and young adults in your libraries and classrooms to discover her work and message.
Review of Beyond Banned Books: Defending Intellectual Freedom Throughout Your Library
Ms. Pekoll has written a very clear, useful, practical, and even a motivational book.
Happy Birthday, Juno Dawson!
Juno Dawson, renowned author of 17 books and columnist, celebrates her birthday on July 10.
Happy Belated Birthday, Jean Craighead George!
George was an adventurer. Born into a family of naturalists, she spent much of her time camping near the Potomac River, observing the local flora and fauna, and learning valuable wilderness skills. Her love of nature and the hours spent exploring the outdoors eventually inspired over 100 books, including 1960 Newberry Honor, My Side of the Mountain, and 1973 Newberry winner Julie of the Wolves.