[Libs-Or] IFC's October Tuesday Topic: Beyond Banned Books Week

[Katlyn Temple]

October 2021 Tuesday Topic

Beyond Banned Books Week: Preparing for Challenges to Library Services

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.



Beyond Banned Books Week: Preparing for Challenges to Library Services

Libraries across the country just finished recognizing Banned Books Week at
the end of September. It is a great time to highlight issues of censorship
in public spaces, and to educate ourselves, our colleagues, and our
communities about the value of free access to ideas and information.

Thanks to ongoing advocacy efforts like Banned Books Week, most librarians
are now familiar with the American Library Association’s (ALA) lists
of frequently
challenged books
<https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks>, and when
it comes to policies and procedures regarding requests to remove library
materials, resources <https://www.oif.ala.org/oif/?p=27097> are
increasingly easy to find <https://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/oif>.

But when Banned Books Week ends, it is clear that conversations about
censorship in libraries must continue, given the rise of another troubling
trend—a rise in challenges against library events and programs, including
story times, displays, and author visits.

The Oregon Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse reported 17 challenges to
library materials, and 6 challenges to library services during the 2020-2021
service year <https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/ld.php?content_id=62746663>.
In an interesting swap, challenges to library materials actually declined
slightly between the 2020 and 2021 reports—while challenges to library
services increased threefold.

Reports of challenges to library services and materials, 2017-2021

Data provided by the Oregon Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse

Year

2017 <https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/ld.php?content_id=42506339>

2018 <https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/ld.php?content_id=43653214>

2019 <https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/ld.php?content_id=50042665>

2020 <https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/ld.php?content_id=56483445>

2021 <https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/ld.php?content_id=62746663>

Library Service Challenges

Not reported

1

6

2

6

Materials Challenges

20

22

43

19

17

Of the six reported challenges to library services in 2021, one library
reported challenges in regard to the materials and content surrounding an
upcoming author visit:

One library, in partnership with other area libraries, invited YA authors
Jason Reynolds and Jenny Torres Sanchez to speak. In advance of their
visit, the library bought copies of these author's books to give to
interested students or teachers. The library received an anonymous phone
message from a man who identified himself only as "a local educator,” upset
that the library was “promoting harmful ideas: (1) that racism actually
exists in America” and “(2) that Americans should be sympathetic toward
immigrants coming from south of the border when our country is already
overrun with immigrants.” Library staff discussed with school district
staff involved in the program, and the program continued.

Of the other five challenges to library services in the 2021 report, two
challenges centered around objections to LGBTQ+ themes in library story
times, and one library reported two challenges to a teen Dungeons and
Dragons program, citing “significant spiritual implications from the
satanic realm.”

What do I do if someone challenges an author visit, or any other service at
my library?

Just as librarians have been trained to frequently review and update their
collection development policies with materials challenges in mind, it is
now recommended that libraries have clear policies in place surrounding the
selection and development of library-sponsored programs, events, and
displays.

If you are preparing to draft a policy of your own, the American Library
Association has released multiple interpretations of the Library Bill of
Rights <https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations>
as they pertain to different aspects of library materials and
services—including an interpretation when considering Library-Initiated
Programs and Displays as a Resource
<https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations/programsdisplays>.
As it pertains to controversial speakers and topics, the guidance in the
document is clear, and follows the same rigorous principles libraries
already apply to the reconsideration of library materials:

   1.

   “Concerns, questions, or complaints about library-initiated programs and
   displays are handled according to the same written policy and procedures
   that govern reconsiderations of other library sources.”
   2.

   “Programs should not be canceled because of the ideas or topics of the
   program or the views expressed by participants or speakers, nor should
   library workers censor or remove displays because someone may disagree with
   content.”

In direct response to a rise in challenges to library programs and
library-sponsored guest speakers, the ALA also released a detailed Q&A
document in 2018
<https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/controversialprogramsQA>. In it,
the ALA advises librarians to consider the chilling impacts of canceling
events or disinviting speakers in direct response to complaints or
controversy, warning that

Canceling a speaker, program, or event because of real or anticipated
controversy could negatively impact the reputation of the library and its
ability to serve the community as a forum for the exchange of ideas.

If you are worried about challenges to future programs, or facing a
challenge of your own, it is important to remember to reach out for
professional support. The OLA’s intellectual freedom committee offers
professional support and guidance, and can be reached by emailing co-chairs
Perry Stokes and Emily O’Neal at ifc.chair at olaweb.org or by emailing all
committee members at ifc.members at olaweb.org.

Finally, if we want to continue to accurately track these trends, it is
important that, in addition to materials, library staff members also report
challenges to library services, programming, and events when they occur.
The State Library of Oregon’s Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse maintains
a form for reporting all types of challenges
<https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/oifc/report> at schools and libraries.
Reports can be made anonymously, and interested library workers can use the
reporting form to seek support and guidance from the State Library and OLA’s
Intellectual Freedom Committee <https://www.olaweb.org/if-home>, as well as
connect with peers who have navigated similar experiences across the state.

Katlyn Temple

OLA Intellectual Freedom Committee Member

Assistant Director, Chetco Community Public Library
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