[Libs-Or] Rights, Responsibilities & Reactions Intellectual Freedom News - August 2022

[Jennifer Keyser]

Dear Libs-Or Subscribers,

Please find below the August edition of the Multnomah County Library's
Rights, Responsibilities & Reactions Intellectual Freedom News.

Rights, Responsibilities & Reactions
Intellectual Freedom Newsletter – August 2022

------------------------------

Recent Intellectual Freedom Articles

How Libraries Came to be Sanctuaries for LGBTQ Kids
<https://www.the74million.org/article/how-libraries-came-to-be-sanctuaries-for-lgbtq-kids/>
(The 74, 24 min.) details the work of Stonewall-era librarians and
activists to create space on library shelves for LGBTQ-friendly titles. The
article touches on how it is more than just putting books on the shelves,
but creating a welcoming space and using positive search terms in the
catalog. (diversity, access)

San Francisco Public Library accused of censorship over mural project
<https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/san-francisco-public-library-accused-of-censorship-islamophobia-over-mural-project/>
(CBS News, 11 min.) A look at how censorship can come from within the
library with the intention of protecting targeted groups and at the same
time infringe upon the First Amendment rights of another group. Read more
about the ACLU’s challenge to cancellation of the mural
<https://sfstandard.com/arts-culture/aclu-challenges-cancelation-of-mural-exhibition-citing-first-amendment-concerns/>,
including the letter sent to SFPL (San Francisco Standard, 3 min). (censorship,
first amendment)

Calls for censorship throughout Oregon: Salem-Keizer rejects second book
ban request
<https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/education/2022/07/18/salem-keizer-rejects-second-book-ban-request-keeps-lgbtq-inclusive-gender-queer-local-high-schools/65376323007/>
(Salem Statesman Journal, 11 min), an in-depth look at a request to remove
books from the shelves of Salem-Keizer Public Schools. The article details
the policy and review process as well as the reasoning behind keeping the
books on the shelves. Public library directors in Curry County dismiss
board of commissioners' demand to restrict access to certain children books
<https://wildrivers.lostcoastoutpost.com/2022/jul/22/local-library-directors-left-confused-curry-board/>,
calling the request transphobic, and noting it is based on sensational and
inaccurate information (Wild Rivers Outpost, 7 min.). (censorship, access)

Victor Ray, author of On Critical Race Theory
<https://multcolib.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S152C1961877>, explains how
critical race theory is at the center of misinformation campaigns
<https://time.com/6202664/critical-race-theorys-merchants-of-doubt/> and
being leveraged to create moral panic and foster doubt (Time Magazine, 10
min). (misinformation)

Happy 25th Anniversary to Reno v. ACLU
<https://slate.com/technology/2022/06/reno-v-aclu-supreme-court-communications-decency-act.html>
-
Slate provides a look back at a Supreme Court decision made 25 years ago
that defined the internet by curbing government regulation of online
communications. The decision envisioned the internet as a marketplace of
ideas and space for free speech, and not an entanglement of public
discourse, private entities and algorithms.  (Slate, 9 min, plus related
podcast: Can the Law Keep Up With the Internet?
<https://slate.com/podcasts/what-next-tbd/2022/06/reno-v-aclu-and-a-free-internet>,
25 min.). (first amendment)

Two different perspectives on the Internet Archive, <https://archive.org/>
which provides access to digital versions of books in copyright and public
domain and is currently faced with a lawsuit from publishers
<https://theconversation.com/publishers-vs-the-internet-archive-why-the-worlds-biggest-online-library-is-in-court-over-digital-book-lending-187166>:
Is the world’s biggest library full of stolen content?
<https://www.theage.com.au/culture/theatre/the-future-of-libraries-or-haven-for-piracy-the-case-of-the-internet-archive-20220717-p5b27d.html>
(The Age, 5 min) and You can’t buy these books
<https://www.thenation.com/article/culture/internet-archive-lawsuit-libraries/>
(The Nation, 11 min) (access, copyright)

Questions or a need for more information?  Did the articles spark
reflection on your work at the library? Contact the committee at
lib.ifc at multco.us

Additional Intellectual Freedom Reading and Resources

ALA Intellectual Freedom Blog: https://www.oif.ala.org/oif/ A blog
dedicated to intellectual freedom issues, and includes the Intellectual
Freedom News
<https://www.oif.ala.org/oif/category/intellectual-freedom-news/> –a weekly
roundup of IF related articles that are divided into key IF topics.

Oregon Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Toolkit
<https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/iftoolkit/home> (published February 8,
2022). A range of tools and resources relating to IF challenges and
policies created by the OLA Intellectual Freedom Committee.

------------------------------

Rights, Responsibilities & Reactions is a monthly roundup of Intellectual
Freedom News compiled by the Multnomah County Library Intellectual Freedom
Committee.
We welcome suggestions of articles to include at lib.ifc at multco.us.  In
general, submissions should follow the following criteria: (1) News
articles; (2) Published in the relevant month; (3) Prioritize issues of
either local relevance or national interest.

*Jennifer Keyser *(she/her)
*Policy Coordinator Librarian*
Tuesdays - Saturdays
Multnomah County Library
multcolib.org




On Fri, Jul 15, 2022 at 4:24 PM Jennifer Keyser <jenniferk at multco.us> wrote:

> Dear Libs-Or Community,
>
> Here is the July edition of Multnomah County Library's Rights,
> Responsibilities & Reactions Intellectual Freedom News.
>
> Recent Intellectual Freedom Articles
>
> Anatomy of a fake
> <https://donmoynihan.substack.com/p/anatomy-of-a-fake?utm_medium=reader2&s=r> by
> Don Moynihan (Can we still govern?, reading time: 12 min.) – A look behind
> the curtain of a viral post based on false information and how it quickly
> becomes shared by individuals. Details the network of news organizations
> promoting pink slime and the idea of motivated reasoning. Originally
> published in Crain’s Chicago Business, but free to access on author’s
> Substack.  For resources on digital literacy and the news see News
> Literacy Project <https://newslit.org/>.  (information literacy,
> misinformation)
>
> Social media users spread bogus tale (again) about Drag Queen Story Hour
> <https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2022/06/drag-queen-did-not-flash-kids-during-storytime-social-media-users-spread-bogus-tale.html>
>  (The Oregonian, reading time: 3 min.) – As attacks on LGBTQ rights
> increase across the country, libraries have come under fire for children's
> programming that feature queer content or performers.  In this article is
> one example of how false claims of child sexual abuse are weaponized to
> generate outrage against inclusive library programming and silence queer
> voices. Related,  Drag queen story hour hosts, under attack, dig in their
> heels
> <https://apnews.com/article/drag-story-hour-hosts-e1ad3ff0dd73e2e66d98190d00568a1e>
> (Associated Press, reading time: 7 min.) and an interview with Panda
> Dulce
> <https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/men-disrupt-drag-queen-storytelling-at-san-lorenzo-library-shouting-homophobic-slurs/>discussing
> her storytime being disrupted by Proud Boys. (CBS News, run time: 2:35
> min.). (misinformation, censorship, equity/diversity/inclusion)
>
> A new data privacy bill focused on consumer protection is slowly moving
> through Congress
> <https://thehill.com/policy/technology/overnights/3535277-hillicon-valley-data-privacy-bill-inches-forward-in-house/>
> (The Hill, reading time: 4 min.). At the same time the FTC is
> prioritizing data privacy policies
> <https://news.bloomberglaw.com/privacy-and-data-security/data-privacy-takes-priority-for-ftc-chief-as-dems-break-deadlock>,
> including updating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act
> (Bloomberg Law, reading time: 3 min., includes audio version). Data
> privacy concerns have emerged with recent Supreme  Court decisions. Wired
> reports on how the surveillance state is primed to criminalize abortion
> <https://www.wired.com/story/surveillance-police-roe-v-wade-abortion/>
> (reading time: 5 min., includes audio version), Fortune expands on how AI
> and apps collect health statistics and other identifying data
> <https://fortune.com/2022/06/28/after-roe-v-wade-fear-of-a-i-surveillance-abortion/>
> (reading time: 5 min) and The NY Times takes a broader look at data
> privacy
> <https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/29/technology/abortion-data-privacy.html>.
> Related, NPR discusses a recent report revealing ICE has data on most of
> the  American public
> <https://www.npr.org/2022/05/20/1100477097/2-year-investigation-reveals-ice-has-data-on-most-of-the-american-public>.
> (privacy, legislation, civil liberties)
>
> The rise in book bans, explained
> <https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2022/06/09/rise-book-bans-explained/> (The
> Washington Post, reading time: 11 min.) takes a deeper look at the recent
> spike in bans and challenges to material in libraries across the United
> States, and answers questions such as “Why are books challenged?” “Who
> challenges them?” and “When did this current wave of book banning begin?” (censorship,
> first amendment)
>
> As challenges to library materials become more prevalent, some libraries
> are taking clear stances against removal of materials. Ashland Public
> Library sees  censorship as a slippery slope
> <https://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/story/news/local/2022/06/10/ashland-library-rejects-call-remove-five-books/7565805001/>
> (Ashland Times Gazette, reading time: 6 min.).  Where does a sex ed book
> belong in the library?
> <https://www.paysonroundup.com/news/local/where-does-a-sex-ed-book-belong-in-the-library/article_29245f3d-739c-5a98-a3b3-4d400013027d.html>
> (Payson Roundup, reading time: 5 min., includes audio version) highlights
> one library’s solution to community members questioning materials in the
> children’s section. Plus, LeVar Burton, Reading Rainbow host
> extraordinaire, calls out book banning as embarrassing
> <https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2022/06/09/levar-burton-sounds-off-rise-banned-books-the-view/7574361001/>.
> (censorship)
>
> Questions, comments or clarification about any of the articles or
> newsletter, please contact the committee at lib.ifc at multco.us.
>
> Additional Intellectual Freedom Reading and Resources
>
> ALA Intellectual Freedom Blog: https://www.oif.ala.org/oif/ A blog
> dedicated to intellectual freedom issues, and includes the Intellectual
> Freedom News
> <https://www.oif.ala.org/oif/category/intellectual-freedom-news/> –a
> weekly roundup of IF related articles that are divided into key IF topics.
>
> Oregon Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Toolkit
> <https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/iftoolkit/home> (published February 8,
> 2022). A range of tools and resources relating to IF challenges and
> policies created by the OLA Intellectual Freedom Committee.
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Rights, Responsibilities & Reactions is a monthly roundup of Intellectual
> Freedom News compiled by the Multnomah County Library Intellectual Freedom
> Committee.
>
> We welcome suggestions of articles at lib.ifc at multco.us.  In general,
> submissions should follow the following criteria: (1) News articles; (2)
> Published in the relevant month; (3) Prioritize issues of either local
> relevance or national interest.
>
> *Jennifer Keyser *(she/her)
> *Policy Coordinator Librarian*
> Tuesdays - Saturdays
> Multnomah County Library
> multcolib.org
>
>
>
>
> On Fri, Jun 17, 2022 at 11:07 AM Jennifer Keyser <jenniferk at multco.us>
> wrote:
>
>> Here is the June edition of Multnomah County Library's Rights,
>> Responsibilities & Reactions Intellectual Freedom News.
>>
>> Recent Intellectual Freedom Articles
>>
>> Censorship concerns are popping up throughout Oregon: The removal of a
>> graphic novel by the Medford School District
>> <https://www.mailtribune.com/okategoriserade/2022/04/21/graphic-novel-removed-from-north-medford-hs/>
>> (Kevin Opshal, Medford Mail Tribune, April 21, 2022, reading time: 4
>> minutes) and subsequent call to audit the graphic novel section has
>> garnered action from the Oregon Library Association’s Intellectual
>> Freedom Committee
>> <https://omls.oregon.gov/pipermail/libs-or/2022-May/019745.html>
>> (Libs-OR email sent on May 17, 2022), including a book drive and policy
>> review. More about OLA’s concerns on OPB
>> <https://www.opb.org/article/2022/06/05/medford-school-district-library-book-removal/>.
>> The Crook County School District is ceasing school visits to the public
>> library. April Witteveen, director of Crook County Public Library,
>> discusses the policy change and how schools often partner with public
>> libraries on OPB’s Think Out Loud
>> <https://www.opb.org/article/2022/05/23/central-oregon-element>
>> (Broadcast May 24, 2022, Listening time: 16 minutes)  (censorship)
>>
>> Upset by book bans, teen starts forbidden book club in small town
>> <https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2022/05/11/banned-book-club-teen-diffenbaugh/>
>> by Sydney Page, The Washington Post, May 11, 2022.  Teens are responding to
>> book bans by partnering with bookstores and libraries to support their
>> “banned books” reading clubs. Library associations, publishers and teachers
>> are also responding to the uptick in book bans through United Against
>> Book Bans
>> <https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2022/05/organizations-join-ala-unite-against-book-bans>,
>> which focuses on creating awareness and empowering freedom to read in
>> communities.
>> Reading time: 8 minutes (censorship)
>>
>> 40 year old Supreme Court ruling may quash the book banning wave
>> <https://www.freedomforum.org/2022/05/11/how-a-40-year-old-supreme-court-ruling-may-quash-the-book-banning-wave/>
>> by Tony Mauro, Freedom Forum, May 11, 2022. Students have stood up before
>> against the removal of books from school libraries, including one case that
>> considered the act an infringement on First Amendment rights, and ended
>> with a Supreme Court ruling in favor of the students. The First Amendment
>> is at the heart of a lawsuit against Llano County
>> <https://www.texastribune.org/2022/04/25/texas-public-library-bookbans-lawsuit-llano/>
>> and library directors for the removal of library books.
>> Reading time: 8 minutes (first amendment)
>>
>> Conservative parents take aim at library apps meant to expand access to
>> books
>> <https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/library-apps-book-ban-schools-conservative-parents-rcna26103>
>> by David Ingram, NBC News, May 12, 2022). Apps, like Libby, that  provide
>> access to alternate formats of books are now subject to book bans. As noted
>> in the May newsletter, New York City libraries have launched initiatives
>> <https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/89057-nyc-public-libraries-offer-free-nationwide-digital-access-to-combat-censorship.html>
>> to counter book bans through access to ebooks for people across the
>> country, no library card required. Reading time: 10 minutes (censorship)
>>
>> Kentucky hands unprecedented control of public library boards to
>> politicians
>> <https://bookriot.com/kentucky-hands-unprecedented-control-of-public-libraries-to-politicians/> by
>> Kelly Jensen (Book Riot, April 19, 2022, reading time: 4 minutes).
>> Aligning with calls for book bans in school and public libraries, a
>> Kentucky bill (SB 167) politicizes the selection of library boards (and
>> ultimately the control of funding from local taxes). Learn more about
>> various state legislation that impact libraries through EveryLibrary’s Legislation
>> of Concern <https://www.everylibrary.org/2022_legislative_attacks> and Good
>> Bills We’re Following
>> <https://www.everylibrary.org/good_bills_this_session>. Related: a
>> library board in Montana targets library policy
>> <https://flatheadbeacon.com/2022/05/27/imagineif-trustees-spar-over-policies-aimed-at-preventing-censorship/>
>> to align with calls for censorship. Reading time: 6 minutes (legislation,
>> censorship)
>>
>> Biden administration announces expansion of high-speed internet
>> <https://thehill.com/news/administration/3481268-biden-admin-announces-expansion-of-free-high-speed-internet-to-eligible-u-s-households/>
>> by Alex Gangitano,The Hill, May 5, 2022. Building on the Affordable
>> Connectivity Program <https://www.fcc.gov/acp>, the current
>> administration has reached agreements with 20 internet providers across the
>> nation, focusing on cutting costs and increasing speeds. The initiative
>> seeks to move the focus from access to the internet as a luxury good to an
>> essential service. Reading time: 4 minutes (net neutrality)
>>
>> Did the articles bring up questions or a need for more information?  Did
>> anything spark reflection on your work at the library?  Let us know at
>> lib.ifc at multco.us
>>
>> Additional Intellectual Freedom Reading and Resources
>>
>> ALA Intellectual Freedom Blog: https://www.oif.ala.org/oif/ A blog
>> dedicated to intellectual freedom issues, and includes the Intellectual
>> Freedom News
>> <https://www.oif.ala.org/oif/category/intellectual-freedom-news/> –a
>> weekly roundup of IF related articles that are divided into key IF topics.
>>
>> Oregon Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Toolkit
>> <https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/iftoolkit/home> (published February
>> 8, 2022). A range of tools and resources relating to IF challenges and
>> policies created by the OLA Intellectual Freedom Committee.
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Rights, Responsibilities & Reactions is a monthly roundup of
>> Intellectual Freedom News compiled by the Multnomah County Library
>> Intellectual Freedom Committee.
>>
>> We welcome suggestions of articles to include at lib.ifc at multco.us.  In
>> general, submissions should follow the following criteria: (1) News
>> articles; (2) Published in the last month; (3) Prioritize issues of either
>> local relevance or national interest.
>> *Jennifer Keyser *(she/her)
>> *Regional Librarian / Interim Policy Coordinator Librarian*
>> Multnomah County Library
>> multcolib.org
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Fri, May 13, 2022 at 2:51 PM Jennifer Keyser <jenniferk at multco.us>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> To our readers: After a brief hiatus the Intellectual Freedom News is
>>> back with a new look. It is shorter and more focused on intellectual
>>> freedom in libraries—based on feedback the Multnomah County Library Intellectual
>>> Freedom Committee received. For a wide array of intellectual
>>> freedom-related articles see the American Library Association's Intellectual
>>> Freedom News
>>> <https://www.oif.ala.org/oif/category/intellectual-freedom-news/>.
>>>
>>> Recent Intellectual Freedom Articles
>>>
>>> Privacy in Practice: Library Public Services and the Intersection of
>>> Personal Ideals
>>> <https://journals3.library.oregonstate.edu/olaq/article/view/vol27_iss1_3/7339>
>>> by Claudine Taillac, published in the Oregon Library Association Quarterly,
>>> Winter 2022.  The article examines the different aspects of privacy through
>>> library policy and staff interactions with patrons.  Find more articles on
>>> privacy and confidentiality in libraries in the Winter 2022 OLA
>>> Quarterly <https://journals3.library.oregonstate.edu/olaq>.
>>> Reading time: 15 minutes. (privacy)
>>>
>>> The Stakeholders of Status Quo
>>> <https://www.oif.ala.org/oif/the-stakeholders-of-status-quo/> by Jacqui
>>> Higgins-Dailey, published through the ALA Intellectual Freedom Blog. The
>>> uptick in book challenges and bans is being driven by a few organizations
>>> that help coordinate efforts on the local level. This article details the
>>> organizations and individuals that are focused on limiting access to books
>>> that challenge the status quo of white dominant culture.  Reading time: 8
>>> minutes (censorship)
>>>
>>> Censorship battles’ new frontier: Your public library
>>> <https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/04/17/public-libraries-books-censorship/>
>>> by Annie Gowen, published in The Washington Post.  A look at how the
>>> current trend of removing books from schools shifts towards public
>>> libraries in Llano County, Texas. In related news, read about how NYPL and
>>> Brooklyn Public Library have launched programs to counter book bans
>>> <https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/89057-nyc-public-libraries-offer-free-nationwide-digital-access-to-combat-censorship.html>.
>>> Reading time for primary article: 14 minutes (censorship, access)
>>>
>>> From libraries to police training: Controversial Ohio education bill
>>> goes beyond classroom
>>> <https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2022/03/22/controversial-ohio-education-bills-impact-would-go-beyond-classroom/7035294001/> by
>>> Anna Staver, published in the Columbia Dispatch . This article examines the
>>> possible consequences of an Ohio state bill focused on limiting the
>>> teaching and promoting of divisive concepts. Reading time: 6 minutes
>>> (legislation, censorship, diversity)
>>>
>>> Report: Public Libraries Essential to Closing Digital Divide
>>> <https://www.govtech.com/civic/report-public-libraries-essential-to-closing-digital-divide>
>>> by News Staff at Government Technology. A summary of a report by the ALA on
>>> how public libraries supported digital equity during the Covid-19 pandemic.
>>> It includes a link to the full report, plus snapshots of programs and data.
>>> Learn more about how intellectual freedom applies to digital access via
>>> ALA’s Access to Digital Resources and Services Q & A
>>> <https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/digitalaccessfaq>. Reading
>>> time: 4 minutes (access)
>>>
>>> The Intellectual Freedom Committee wants to hear from you. Did the
>>> articles bring up questions or a need for more information?  Spark
>>> reflection on your work at the library?  Contact the committee at
>>> lib.ifc at multco.us
>>>
>>> Additional Intellectual Freedom Reading and Resources
>>>
>>> ALA Intellectual Freedom Blog: https://www.oif.ala.org/oif/ A blog
>>> dedicated to intellectual freedom issues, and includes the Intellectual
>>> Freedom News
>>> <https://www.oif.ala.org/oif/category/intellectual-freedom-news/> –a
>>> weekly roundup of IF related articles that are divided into key IF topics.
>>>
>>> Oregon Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Toolkit
>>> <https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/iftoolkit/home> (published February
>>> 8, 2022). A range of tools and resources relating to IF challenges and
>>> policies created by the OLA Intellectual Freedom Committee.
>>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>>
>>> Rights, Responsibilities & Reactions is a monthly roundup of
>>> Intellectual Freedom News compiled by the Multnomah County Library
>>> Intellectual Freedom Committee.
>>> We welcome suggestions of articles to include at lib.ifc at multco.us.  In
>>> general, submissions should follow the following criteria: (1) News
>>> articles; (2) Published in the relevant month; (3) Prioritize issues of
>>> either local relevance or national interest.
>>>
>>> *Jennifer Keyser *(she/her)
>>> *Interim Policy Coordinator Librarian*
>>> Multnomah County Library
>>> multcolib.org
>>>
>>>
>>>
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