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

[Jennifer Keyser]

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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