[Libs-Or] Tuesday Topic: Meeting rooms, intellectual freedom, and responsible spaces

[Ross Betzer]

*Welcome to Tuesday Topics, a monthly series covering topics with
intellectual freedom implications for libraries of all types. Each message
is prepared by a member of OLA's Intellectual Freedom Committee or a guest
writer. Questions can be directed to the author of the topic or to the IFC
committee <http://www.olaweb.org/contact-ifc>.*



*Meeting rooms, intellectual freedom, and responsible spaces*

A revision of the American Library Association’s “Meeting Rooms: An
interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights
<http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations/meetingrooms>”
has generated an intense amount of criticism and discussion. The main topic
of contention is the inclusion of “hate speech” and “hate groups” as
specific examples of groups that cannot be summarily barred from using
library meeting rooms. Some have objected to the choice of language in the
revision and the method in which the document was drafted, while others are
questioning whether it is possible to simultaneously allow all speech
(including “hate speech”) while also making the library a welcoming and
safe place for all users. The ALA Intellectual Freedom Committee is working
on revising the new meeting room interpretation, and have set up a google
form for receiving comments
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScXbV5avGgusW9S8pf3CoqiDvdLHVGg4IcYMfmulaGSuabk6w/viewform>
.

This is not just a library issue. Universities and local governments have
been grappling with these same questions as they respond to groups
demanding use of academic or public spaces to hold events with speech that
is, if not hate speech, at the very least offensive to many. The question
of how to reconcile and defend both the values of free speech and social
justice is one that is not going to be settled soon, and it is one that the
library world has already been grappling with for some time (for background
on such library debate, see the books *Which side are you on?
<https://multnomahcountylibrary.on.worldcat.org/oclc/932578421>* by Elaine
Harger and *A history of ALA policy on intellectual freedom
<https://multnomahcountylibrary.on.worldcat.org/oclc/903473922>*). It is an
important discussion, and there are no easy answers.

*What should libraries do right now?*

While this discussion is happening, librarians still need to deal with the
practical matter of keeping their libraries open and serving their
community and patrons. Whether or not a library permits or denies use of a
meeting room to a “hate group,” there is potential for outrage and protest
by those upset with the outcome, and for discomfort and fear by those who
simply want to borrow a book or make use of a library service. So what can
we do? The same way that we prepare for book challenges, we can prepare for
challenges about activities conducted or prohibited on library property by
having solid policies that library staff can use.

There are some documents which can help as you write or review your
library’s meeting room and behavior policies. Despite the controversy
surrounding it, the ALA’s “Meeting rooms: an interpretation of the Library
Bill of Rights
<http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations/meetingrooms>”
still includes information to consider. Also worth reviewing is the
ALA “Guidelines
for development of policies and procedures regarding user behavior and
library usage <http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/guidelinesdevelopment>.”
It is a challenge to write library policies that balance free speech
considerations with safety considerations, while being respectful of all
library patrons and legally sound. More important than getting it perfectly
right is that the policies be created with careful thought and with
participation by stakeholders and members of the community.

The ALA’s Access to Library Resources and Services
<http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/access> webpage states that “equity
extends beyond equality—fairness and universal access—to deliberate and
intentional efforts to create service delivery models that will make sure
that community members have the resources they need.” At the 2017 Annual
Conference, a resolution was passed on “Libraries as Responsible Spaces”
<http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2017/07/council-resolution-calls-libraries-create-responsible-spaces>
(CD# 44.2
<http://www.ala.org/aboutala/sites/ala.org.aboutala/files/content/cd_44-44.2_cod_62517_act.docx>,
Word doc) which “urges libraries to embrace the mantle of responsible
spaces by adopting and enforcing user behavior policies that protect
patrons and staff from harassment while maintaining our historic support
for the freedom of speech.” Hopefully there will be future guidance from
ALA or elsewhere in the profession which digs deeper into how this can be
done well.

It is not easy to provide a space that is truly and freely open to the
public, in an intellectual sense as well as a physical one, but it is work
we must do if we believe in the value of libraries as public institutions.
You need not do this work alone: the Oregon Library Association, the OLA
Intellectual Freedom Committee, and your colleagues around the state are
all there to support you.


*Ross BetzerChair - Oregon Library Association Intellectual Freedom
CommitteeLibrarian, Local Resources & Cataloging - Multnomah County
Libraryifc.chair at olaweb.org <ifc.chair at olaweb.org>503.988.5123My preferred
pronouns are he/him/his*
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