Tag: American Library Association
The Stakeholders of Status Quo
As coordinated censorship attempts spread across the country, understanding who and what these conservative organizations represent is an important piece toward preventing further threats to intellectual freedom in the U.S.
The Trend Continues: Books with Civil Rights Themes Challenged in Schools
Texas Republican Representative Matt Krause is investigating books that “might make students feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress.” The irony here, Philip Bump points out, is that all this fervor over books that create “discomfort” in teens and tweens comes on the heels of conservatives claiming censorship and “cancel culture” when Dr. Seuss Enterprises ceased publication of six books that portray racist imagery.
The American Library Association Opposes Widespread Efforts to Censor Books in U.S. Schools and Libraries
The ALA Executive Board and the Boards of Directors for all of ALA’s eight divisions have released a joint statement opposing widespread efforts to censor books in U.S. schools and libraries.
Amnesty International Sheds Light on the High Cost of Corrupt Government Censorship
Banned Books Week is an opportunity to highlight stories that challenge the status quo. Many libraries display literature that individuals and organizations with an agenda want to withhold. The American […]
I Love My Librarian! Award
Do you know about the I Love My Librarian! Award? In many cases, awards and scholarships are decided by other librarians or library workers. In this case, I Love My Librarian! allows library users to recognize their favorite librarians.
History Repeated: the Trials of Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five
Slaughterhouse-Five has been subject to banning, challenges and even burning for decades. The American Library Association lists the title in it’s Banned and Challenged Classics page, citing a book burning in North Dakota in 1973 and a variety of bans and challenges due to language, sexual references and even because it “contains and makes references to religious matters.” ALA notes only two instances of retention after the book was challenged.
J.K. Rowling’s Magical Thinking is Censorship
Harry Potter is one of the most frequently banned series. J.K. Rowling doesn’t understand that when she silences the real, lived experiences of trans people, she is banning a narrative that is not only crucial to the feminist and social justice movement but to humanity as well.
Give the Gift of Intellectual Freedom on #GivingTuesday
Intellectual freedom is a vital and prominent subject in today’s landscape. Support the future of our nation’s libraries by donating to the Office for Intellectual Freedom on Nov. 29 for #GivingTuesday.