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

[Jennifer Keyser]

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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