[Libs-Or] Multnomah County Library's Intellectual Freedom Newsletter –April 2024

[Jennifer Keyser]

Hello Oregon Library Community,

The April Edition of Multnomah County Library's IFC Newsletter is now
available (PDF version attached). The newsletter is packed with reports and
articles on the uptick of censorship and related legislation, plus news on
privacy, access, AI and other IF topics.

Rights, Responsibilities & Reactions
Intellectual Freedom Newsletter – April 2024

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

The American Library Association released the Top 10 Most Challenged Books
of 2023 list
<https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10> and
the State of America’s Libraries Report
<https://www.ala.org/news/state-americas-libraries-report-2024>. For news
summaries based on the ALA data see: The Most Challenged Books of 2023
Target LGBTQ Experiences
<https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/08/books/banned-books-2023.html> (New York
Times, 5 min). The post-2020 surge in calls for banning books, visualized
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/03/25/book-bans-trump-states/>
(Washington Post, 6 min).

Seattle Public Library and Brooklyn Public Library released a Books
Unbanned report: “In Their Own Words”
<https://www.spl.org/about-us/news-releases/books-unbanned-report-details-the-impact-of-censorship-on-young-people-across-the-united-states>,
which details the impact of censorship on young people (read the full
report here
<https://booksunbanned.com/documents/Books%20Unbanned%20Teen%20Testimonials.pdf>).
Related, students describe impact of school web filters on learning and
safety
<https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/04/13/students-explain-school-web-filters-learning-safety/73296646007/>
(USA Today, 4 min) and this companion article on filtering
<https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/04/13/school-porn-filters-block-suicide-prevention-lgbtq-sites/73293675007/>
(16 min). (censorship)

Another report was released by PEN America on censorship in public school
libraries: Banned in the USA: Narrating the Crisis
<https://pen.org/report/narrating-the-crisis/> (46 min). Read more about
the report findings: Book Bans Continue to Surge in Public Schools
<https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/16/books/book-bans-public-schools.html>
(New York Times, 7 min) and Last year ended with a surge in book bans
<https://www.npr.org/2024/04/16/1245037718/book-bans-2023-pen-america>
(NPR, 3 min). (censorship)

Also, a new resource is available: Banned Books, Banned Beliefs
<https://uniteagainstbookbans.org/banned-books-banned-beliefs/>
developed by Interfaith
Alliance <https://interfaithalliance.org/> and Unite Against Book Bans. (first
amendment, censorship)

The Washington Post reports on how Red states threaten librarians with
prison — as blue states protect them
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2024/04/16/library-legislation-restrictions-protections/>
(Washington Post, 10 min). Some states are reversing legislation, like in
Florida
<https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/desantis-signs-bill-restricting-challenges-books-public-schools-rcna148169>
(NBC, 4 min). While other states advance legislation that bans censorship
and protects curricula, see Maryland’s Freedom to Read act
<https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/marylands-freedom-to-read-act-bans-book-censorship-in-libraries-bolsters-rights-amid-national-debate/>
(CBS, 3 min), California’s banning of book bans
<https://www.courthousenews.com/california-bill-would-stop-book-banning-by-public-libraries/>
(4 min) and 7 states will mandate LGBTQ-inclusive curricula
<https://www.yahoo.com/news/amid-book-bans-dei-cuts-234110500.html>
(Yahoo!, 4 min).  Related, book publishers are now suing Iowa over its book
ban law
<https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/18/us/publishers-fight-iowa-book-bans-reaj/index.html>
(CNN, 3 min) and a University of Wisconsin–Madison study traces spread of
anti-LGBTQ+ bills and policies in Midwestern states
<https://education.wisc.edu/news/new-uw-madison-study-traces-spread-of-anti-lgbtq-bills-and-policies-in-midwestern-states/>
(3 min). This article dives into what federal courts have said about local
library book bans
<https://www.al.com/news/2024/02/what-have-federal-courts-said-about-local-library-book-bans.html>
(Alabama Reflector, 19 min). (censorship, first amendment, legislation)

Librarians underscore the impact of legislation on their work and their
commitment against censorship, see I'm a Black Librarian. We're Being
Threatened
<https://www.newsweek.com/i-am-black-librarian-we-are-being-threatened-1890695>
(Newsweek, 8 min), These librarians are fighting back
<https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/attempts-to-ban-books-are-at-an-all-time-high-these-librarians-are-fighting-back>
(PBS NewsHour, 10 min), Censorship Is a Hammer Looking for a Nail
<https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/libraries/article/94817-censorship-is-a-hammer-looking-for-a-nail-pw-talks-with-sam-helmick.html>
(Publishers Weekly, 5 min) and from the ALA president Emily Dabrinski: ‘We’re
fighting for our lives’
<https://www.wbez.org/stories/americas-top-librarian-says-were-fighting-for-our-lives/7f00cf25-6697-43a1-98ef-05aa011e2557>
(WBEZ Chicago, 12 min) and 'It's Been Devastating'
<https://www.huffpost.com/entry/american-library-association-emily-drabinski-book-bans_n_66102163e4b083254eac0549>
(HuffPost,17 min). Also, listen to the Ali Velshi interview on Little
Freedom  Libraries
<https://littlefreelibrary.org/2024/02/visit-philadelphia-honors-black-history-month-by-launching-little-freedom-libraries/>
which uplifts black stories in Philadelphia
<https://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/listen-ali-velshi-banned-book-club-black-stories-in-philadelphia/>
(Philadelphia Citizen, 9 min). (censorship).

Silent censorship in the library: Diverse books found in trash by Staten
Island school
<https://gothamist.com/news/books-on-black-history-immigration-found-in-trash-by-staten-island-school-sparking-investigation>
(Gothamist, 8 min). Statements by publishers
<https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/94619-publishers-issue-letter-to-nyc-doe-over-discarded-books.html>
(Publishers Weekly, 3 min) and the National Coalition Against Censorship
<https://ncac.org/news/ncac-protests-the-disposal-of-hundreds-of-school-library-books-at-new-york-citys-ps-55>
condemn the removal. Related, a book ban in Nevada would create a separate
LGBTQ section
<https://www.teenvogue.com/story/book-ban-nevada-lgbtq-libraries> (Teen
Vogue, 6 min). (censorship)

Book bans are dividing small towns, with libraries becoming the center of
culture wars, see cozy libraries in Rhode Island
<https://www.aol.com/ris-cozy-local-libraries-become-090419888.html>
(AOL.com, 11 min) and in Superman's 'hometown,' a pastor fights Satan's
sway at the local library
<https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/metropolis-illinois-library-books-battle-superman-rcna148352>
(NBC, 23 min). (censorship)

Fast Company reports on the uptick in diversity in children’s publishing
thanks to the book bans
<https://www.fastcompany.com/91087732/theres-a-revolution-happening-in-childrens-publishing-you-can-thank-the-book-bans>
(12 min). Of note: 11 banned books adapted for TV
<https://www.tvinsider.com/gallery/banned-books-tv-adaptations/> and Defending
the canon: Review of 15 banned classics
<https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/defending-the-canon-slj-ncte-review-15-banned-classics>
(School Library Journal, 14 min). (access, diversity)

NYC library budget cuts impact the most vulnerable
<https://prismreports.org/2024/03/28/nyc-library-budget-cuts-impacting-most-vulnerable/>
(Prism, 8 min). A bookshop filed a First Amendment lawsuit
<https://www.redandblack.com/athensnews/avid-bookshop-files-first-amendment-lawsuit/article_77330364-e626-11ee-afb2-4fd911e9cbdf.html>
on denial of books to prisoners. (The Red & Black, 3 min) (access)

NPR reports on how Meta has taken on limiting political content on social
media
<https://www.npr.org/2024/03/26/1240737627/meta-limit-political-content-instagram-facebook-opt-out>
(4 min). The move has negatively resulted in limiting  the reach of social
justice and LGBTQ+ content creators
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/04/10/politics-instagram-threads-limits/>
(Washington Post, 6 min). (censorship).

On the horizon: US lawmakers unveil a plan to give all Americans a right to
online privacy
<https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/08/tech/online-privacy-bill/index.html> (CNN,
5 min). For a deeper dive see Tech Policy’s explainer: The American Privacy
Rights Act of 2024 explained
<https://www.techpolicy.press/the-american-privacy-rights-act-of-2024-explained-what-does-the-proposed-legislation-say-and-what-will-it-do/>
(12 min). (privacy, legislation).

The proposed online child safety laws could help or hurt kids – 2
pediatricians explain
<https://theconversation.com/online-child-safety-laws-could-help-or-hurt-2-pediatricians-explain-whats-likely-to-work-and-what-isnt-226436>
(The Conversation, 8 min). The Cato Institute issued a brief arguing for
protection of First Amendment rights for youth
<https://www.cato.org/briefing-paper/courts-should-affirm-first-amendment-rights-youths-digital-age-case-21st-century>
(25 min). The Open Technology Institute deep dives into the age
verification issue of online child safety laws
<https://www.newamerica.org/oti/reports/age-verification-the-complicated-effort-to-protect-youth-online/>.
(privacy, first amendment, legislation)

The LA Times reports that anonymous users dominate right-wing discussions
online and spread false information
<https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2024-04-06/anonymous-users-right-wing-discussions-online-spread-false-information>
(8 min). (disinformation)

Net Neutrality is back, but faces challenges with new technology like 5G
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/04/24/net-neutrality-fcc-5g/>
(Washington Post, 10 min) and open access to AI
<https://www.brookings.edu/articles/ai-makes-the-fight-for-net-neutrality-even-more-important/>
(Brookings, 20 min, includes brief history of Net Neutrality), plus a lawsuit
from broadband companies
<https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/04/fcc-restores-net-neutrality-rules-that-ban-blocking-and-throttling-in-3-2-vote/>
(Ars Technica, 7 min). (access, equity).

The Washington Post highlights the allure and power of YouTube
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/04/09/most-important-app-youtube/>
(5 min). The New York Times walks readers through the prevalence of scam
calls and messages
<https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/21/style/scams-identity-theft.html>and how
a younger demographic is falling for them (14 min). (information literacy)

Psychology Today highlights a new documentary on the dangers of
surveillance capitalism
<https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-power-of-slow/202403/whos-watching-whom-the-dangers-of-surveillance-capitalism>
- includes tips for mindful digital engagement (6 min). Related, How fast
food is becoming a new surveillance ground
<https://www.fastcompany.com/91087484/how-fast-food-is-becoming-a-new-surveillance-ground>
(Fast Company, 7 min).  (privacy, information literacy)

AI Spotlight
The Washington Post offers an interactive on identifying AI: Is this AI?
See if you can spot the technology in your everyday life
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/interactive/2024/what-is-ai/> (5
min). From shrimp Jesus to fake self-portraits, AI-generated images have
become social media spam
<https://theconversation.com/from-shrimp-jesus-to-fake-self-portraits-ai-generated-images-have-become-the-latest-form-of-social-media-spam-226903>
(The Conversation, 8 min)  Related. an overview of tools for detecting AI
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/04/05/ai-deepfakes-detection/>
(Washington Post, 10 min). (information literacy)

AI brings up privacy concerns via data sharing and gathering: How Tech
Giants Cut Corners to Harvest Data for A.I.
<https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/06/technology/tech-giants-harvest-data-artificial-intelligence.html>
(New York Times, 23 min) and A California city is training AI to spot
homeless encampments
<https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/mar/25/san-jose-homelessness-ai-detection>
(The Guardian, 8 min). (privacy, copyright)

The limits of AI: Chatbots refuse to produce ‘controversial’ output
<https://theconversation.com/ai-chatbots-refuse-to-produce-controversial-output-why-thats-a-free-speech-problem-226596>
(Conversation, 8 min). Libraries provide access to information that AI may
censor: Between Stacks & Algorithms: Libraries Offer Unbiased Information
<https://neiuindependent.org/20263/uncategorized/somewhere-between-stacks-and-algorithms-libraries-remain-the-last-strongholds-of-unbiased-information/>
(NEIU, 7 min). (first amendment, access)

------------------------------
Additional Resources

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

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 Multnomah County Library's Intellectual Freedom
Committee. We welcome suggestions at lib.ifc at multco.us.


*Jennifer Keyser *(she/her)
*Policy Coordinator Librarian*
Monday - Friday
971-429-4699
Multnomah County Library
multcolib.org

[image: Copy of MultCoLib_2LineLogo_252px_RGB.jpg]
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