[Libs-Or] Book Banning Survey from Michigan

Fri May 5 13:43:37 PDT 2023

Hi all,
I wanted to cross-post this, just for some updated and interesting info
coming out of Michigan.  Hope this helps you all "fight the good fight"
- Emily O'Neal - OLA IFC Chair

Interesting (not surprising) results from MLA’s survey about book bans.

Public Libraries and Book Banning - MLA Public Opinion Survey Results -
Advocacy | Michigan Library Association (milibraries.org)
<https://www.milibraries.org/statewide-survey-on-library-issues>

*In the newly released poll of Michigan voters by EPIC-MRA commissioned by
the Michigan Library Association (MLA), 800 voters responded regarding
awareness of, and attitudes toward, the increasingly intense and
coordinated efforts to dictate the collection content of local public
libraries. EPIC-MRA produced a statewide summary as well as 11 regional
summaries based on the Michigan Cooperative Library regions. Overall
findings: Groups and organizations that favor banning books in Michigan
are clearly going against an overwhelming majority of public opinion that
opposes book banning. *

*Bernie Porn, President of EPIC-MRA, said that “a small minority who are
trying to ban books are cynically attempting to limit as much as possible
the teaching of history, especially books discussing slavery, race,
political ideas they disagree with, criticisms of people and events in U.S.
history, and discussions about sex, gender identity or sexual orientation.
About 9-in-10 voters say books on these topics should never be banned, with
2-in-3 saying the same thing about books dealing with sexual content.”   *

**

*“We have always known that most voters and parents hold librarians in high
regard, have confidence in their public libraries to make good decisions
about what books to include in their collections, and agree that libraries
in their communities do a good job offering books that represent a variety
of viewpoints,” said Scott Duimstra, MLA’s Board President and director at
the Capital Area District Libraries in Lansing. “We now have specific
Michigan data to back this up.” *

*“The results of this public opinion poll further validate our position to
protect Michiganders’ First Amendment rights and the right to read,” stated
Deborah E. Mikula, MLA’s Executive Director. “This study provides factual
information as well as confirms the significance that MLA is morally and
justly on the right side of upholding the constitutional promise to protect
intellectual freedom.”*

*Here in Michigan, the findings show:*

*71% solid majority of all respondents gave local public libraries in
Michigan – including their local public library – a positive rating for the
job they are doing providing programs, services and a diverse, quality
collection of books and other materials to their library patrons (34%
excellent), with only 8% giving libraries a negative rating (3% poor), and
21% “undecided.” A 79% majority of Democrats, 68% of Independents and 65%
of Republicans offer a positive job rating. *

*An 83% majority of all respondents would support state legislation that
would protect the right of the public to read what they wish to read in
local public libraries and not have books banned. This includes 95% of
Democrats, 89% of Independents and 70% of Republicans.  *

*A 70% majority of all respondents said that librarians are very capable
(33%) or mostly capable (37%) and trustworthy to decide which books and
reading materials should be included in your local library collections.
Another 18% said librarians are only a little capable (12%) or not really
capable at all (6%) in deciding what books and reading materials should
comprise the collection, with 12% undecided. This includes 85% of
Democrats, 67% of Independents and 57% of Republicans. *

*A 42% plurality of all respondents agreed that “there is absolutely no
time when a book should be banned from local public libraries,” 45% said
“there are rare times when it may be appropriate to ban books from local
public libraries,” with 9% saying “there are many inappropriate books that
should be banned from local public libraries.” A 57% majority of Democrats,
a 46% plurality of Independents and 27% of Republicans say books should
never be banned, with another 40% of Democrats, 47% of Independents and 49%
of Republicans saying books should rarely be banned.  *

*67% of all respondents said that “books with discussions about sex, gender
identity or sexual orientation” should never be banned, with 21% saying
they should sometimes be banned and 9% saying they should always be banned.
An 86% majority of Democrats, 76% of Independents and 46% of Republicans
said these books should never be banned.  *

*A 75% solid majority of all respondents said they agree the most that “we
need to protect the ability of young people to have access to books from
which they can learn about and understand different perspectives and help
them grow into adults who can think for themselves,” while only 17% agreed
that “we need to protect young people from books that they might find
upsetting or that reflect ideologies and lifestyles that are outside of the
mainstream.”  A 93% majority of Democrats, 81% of Independents and 56% of
Republicans agree.      *

*An 80% overwhelming majority of all respondents agreed with the statement
that “individual parents can set rules for their own children, but they do
not have the right to decide for other parents what books are available to
their children,” with 15% agreeing that “parents have a right NOT to have
their children exposed to objectional books at the library and should be
able to join with other parents to have those books removed from the
library.” This includes 94% of Democrats, 86% of Independents and 64% of
Republicans. *

*A 77% solid majority of all respondents agreed that “local public
libraries should have a diverse collection of books and reading materials
that represents the community and the world around us,” while only 15%
agree that “anyone who opposes objectional material is just pushing a woke
ideology that is trying to indoctrinate our children with ideas about
LGBTQ, transgender youth and promoting lifestyles that they should not be
exposed to.”  This includes 92% of Democrats, 83% of Independents and 60%
of Republicans. *

*Finally, a 57% majority of voters said that they are less likely to vote
for their member of Congress, State Senator or State Representative in the
next election if they support legislation that would allow or require books
to be banned from their local public library (38% would be much less
likely). This includes 81% majority of Democrats, 58% of Independents and
36% of Republicans.*
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