Category: Advocacy
Champion of Libraries and Democracy
Libraries have always been a forum for ideas, a place for people to come and speak. I think that this is where libraries can make a difference. The public not only wants a chance to hear the issues but also the opportunity to deliberate with their fellow citizens on what those issues mean.
Eliminating Librarian Positions Limits Intellectual Freedom
Dwindling local school budgets, increasing technology, and conflicting values can all contribute to the elimination of public and school librarian positions. However, these positions are critical to maintain in order to preserve principles of intellectual freedom in schools and in society.
BlacklistLA: Angelenos, Art, and Advocacy After Hours
The term blacklist immediately conjures notions of silence and censorship and an expansive chronology of historical struggles toward free expression and intellectual freedom. But this is a blacklist, I’m fond of stressing, that reinforces concepts of positive community-building and challenging people to rethink how we live and see our urban environment.
Friends, Foundations, & Trustees: Allies in Intellectual Freedom
Introductory post considering the role that Friends and Foundations play to support the freedom-loving access to information and enlightenment in public libraries.
Support Freedom for Student Journalists
The critical work of journalists in a democratic society requires protecting freedom of expression. A free press cannot flourish where writers fear censorship or retaliation. How did you celebrate #StudentPressFreedom on Wednesday, January 30?
Utah Education Network Reinstates Access to EBSCO Database for Students Across Utah
Guest post by Peter Bromberg; As Advocacy chair of the Utah Library Association (ULA) I quickly reached out to ULA President Rebekah Cummings and immediately went into action with a goal of convincing the 13-member UEN Board to reverse their decision to block access to EBSCO at the October 19 meeting.
The Tor e-book embargo and reluctant readers
With the major success of science fiction and fantasy films based on novels recently including The Hunger Games (not published by Tor) and Ender’s Game (published by Tor), I have long thought that science fiction and fantasy was a great “gate way” genre for reluctant teen readers in particular. Therefore, as a librarian and a buyer of Tor’s books myself I would add my voice to those asking Tor and Macmillan to reconsider this embargo.
Ideas for the College Library: Banned Books Week 2018
Some of my more memorable interactions with the campus, especially students and faculty, have revolved around the themes BBW brings to the surface and highlights in real life situations for discourse.
Defying “Unsettling Policies”: An Interview With Lindsey Whittington
When the superintendent of the Dixie County School District sought to censor the reading lists of students, Library Media Specialist Lindsey Whittington stood up for intellectual freedom and fought the ban.
New Free Speech Bill Protects Young Journalists
In 1988, a Supreme Court case stripped student journalists of their First Amendment rights. Now, three decades later, students are standing up and bringing new bills like the Cronkite New Voices Act to the courts.