The recently concluded American Library Association (ALA) conference at McCormick Place was anything but predictable. Traditionally a serene gathering of librarians, publishers, and information professionals, this year’s event saw a surge of passion and determination to combat book censorship.
The ALA conference has been a staple since the 19th century, drawing librarians from all walks of life. From rural towns to bustling cities, from colleges to high schools, and even international libraries, attendees come together to delve into the latest archiving techniques, discuss diversity, and predict digital trends. However, this year was different.
Amidst the usual camaraderie, librarians took a stand against book banners. The frequency of reported book challenges has skyrocketed in recent years, with the ALA’s Office of Intellectual Freedom noting an alarming increase from two or three challenges per week several decades ago to five to ten challenges per day in 2021.
Controversies surrounding books, such as Judy Blume’s “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” have persisted for years. Blume, who delivered the conference’s keynote address, recounted her own experience of facing opposition when she tried to donate copies of her book to a children’s school library in the early 1970s due to its frank discussion of menstruation. The challenges against “Margaret” exemplify the ongoing battle librarians face.
The conference showcased eye-opening data through thought-provoking presentations and discussions. Attendees donned T-shirts displaying slogans like “Librarians Threaten Ignorance” and affixed “Libraries Are Essential” pins to their clothing. An oversized cushioned chair positioned for photo opportunities allowed visitors to read passages from banned books. It was clear that the usually mild-mannered librarians were determined to shed their meek image.
Panel titles like “Be Fierce,” “Combating Book Bans,” and “SOS: Stock Our Shelves” reflected this newfound strength and refusal to back down. Librarians jotted down strategies for action with unwavering urgency. Public officials, such as Chris Brown, the Chicago Public Library commissioner, drew parallels to the McCarthyism era when they refused to remove books deemed “un-American” by politicians. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias boldly referred to book banning as fascist and spearheaded a new law in Illinois that prohibited the banning of books, linking such actions to a library’s access to state funds.
However, uncertainty loomed amidst the fervor. Conversations in hushed tones acknowledged the inevitability of challenges facing librarians who had yet to experience them. The ALA reported nearly 1,300 challenges against approximately 2,600 titles in 2022 alone, almost double the number from the previous year. The question on everyone’s mind was: What can librarians do in response?
Lisa Bishop, a school librarian from San Francisco, openly voiced her frustration at the profession’s “niceness problem.” She urged her colleagues to shed the nice facade and take decisive action, believing it to be what democracy needed at this critical juncture. Her words resonated with her peers, who craved the raw truth amidst the growing urgency.
Amanda Jones, a school librarian from Louisiana who faced adversity after advocating for LGBTQ+ books, exemplified the resilience in the face of book bans. Though she admitted that many librarians were caught off guard and ill-prepared for the fight against censorship, she recognized the importance of building support networks and seeking legal guidance.
Another librarian, Lisa Varga, emerged as a strategic force against book bans. As the executive director of the Virginia Library Association, Varga skillfully navigated challenges to numerous books in a school library. She discovered that many of the book challengers had not even read the titles they were objecting to. Armed with this information, she filed Freedom of Information Act requests and presented it to a judge when the challengers sued the library. Varga even invoiced the school board for the cost of reconsidering the books, including overtime and salaries, and added the name of the most prominent book challenger to the bill. Her intentions were clear: to hold those responsible accountable.
Varga emphasized that while librarians have often siloed themselves, they possess the law and the First Amendment on their side. Emphasizing these rights, along with a willingness to fight back, can disrupt the flawed logic and bad faith arguments of book banners. Librarians must not be underestimated.
The response from the library community has been a mix of naivete and well-meaning rationality when confronted with coordinated groups seeking to ban books. However, the atmosphere at the ALA conference revealed a transformation. Librarians are no longer content to play the role of the meek custodians of knowledge. They are embracing their power, combining it with legal and strategic know-how, and leading the charge against book censorship.
In this battle for intellectual freedom, librarians are writing a new chapter—one rooted in determination, resilience, and a refusal to be silenced.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
