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

Fri Aug 30 15:00:00 PDT 2024

Dear Oregon LIbrary Community,

The August edition of Multnomah County Library's Intellectual Freedom
Newsletter is now available -see below and attached as a pdf.
Also Multnomah County Library is hosting the following event for Banned
Books Week:
>
> Censor (THIS): A Banned Books Week presentation
> <https://multcolib.org/events-classes/censor-banned-books-week-presentation>
> with Hand2Mouth Theatre’s Youth Devising Ensemble
> September 21st, from 2-3:30pm at Holgate Library.
> Check out the booklist that goes with the event
> <https://multcolib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/114633184/2603427269>. Flier
> attached.
>
Thanks for all you do to support intellectual freedom!

Rights, Responsibilities & Reactions
Intellectual Freedom Newsletter – August 2024
------------------------------

A little library in Oregon won national recognition: Wendy Shih brings
Little Free Diverse Library to Rock Creek community
<https://www.wweek.com/culture/2024/07/23/wendy-shih-brings-little-free-diverse-library-to-rock-creek-community/>
(Willamette Week, 3 min). (access)

The U.S. Department of Education weighs in on legislation promoting
censorship of library materials: Book bans are not just bad policy; They
can raise civil rights issues
<https://blog.ed.gov/2024/07/book-bans-are-not-just-bad-policy-they-can-raise-civil-rights-issues/>
(4 min). Read more about recent legislation: More states are passing book
banning rules. Here’s what they say
<https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/29/books/book-banning-south-carolina-tennesse-idaho-utah.html>
(New York Times, 5 min) and Local no longer: 4 new laws and policies bring
book banning to the state level
<https://pen.org/local-no-longer-4-new-laws-and-policies-bring-book-banning-to-the-state-level/>
(PEN America, 4 min). (censorship, legislation)

In Utah, legislation targets specific titles, see Popular and critically
acclaimed book titles banned statewide in Utah schools
<https://pen.org/press-release/popular-and-critically-acclaimed-book-titles-banned-statewide-in-utah-schools/>
(PEN America, 3 min),  Republicans officially enact their most extreme
school book ban
<https://newrepublic.com/post/184672/utah-republicans-enact-extreme-school-book-ban>
(New Republic, 3 min) and discussed on NPR
<https://www.npr.org/2024/08/11/nx-s1-5069668/more-than-a-dozen-books-are-removed-from-schools-statewide-in-utah>
(3 min). The Guardian reports on how advocates react to Utah ban
<https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/aug/09/utah-book-removal-schools-libraries>
(6 min). See also, how Iowa schools are responding to a new law
<https://www.iowapublicradio.org/podcast/talk-of-iowa/2024-08-14/how-schools-are-responding-to-iowas-new-book-ban>
banning books (IPR, 15 min). (censorship, legislation)

Emily Dabrinski contextualizes the impact of new legislation in Idaho: Idaho
law criminalizes librarians who Allow LGBTQ books to stay on their shelves
<https://truthout.org/articles/idaho-law-criminalizes-librarians-who-allow-lgbtq-books-to-stay-on-their-shelves/>
(Truthout, 5 min). Related, New lawsuit seeks to stop enforcement of Idaho
library materials bill
<https://idahocapitalsun.com/2024/07/25/new-lawsuit-seeks-to-stop-enforcement-of-idaho-library-materials-bill/>
(Idaho Capital Sun, 7 min). Also, the Boise Public Library rejected the
first challenge
<https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/politics-government/2024-08-15/boise-library-bible-idaho-legislature-harmful-minors>
under the new law (Boise State Public Radio, 1 min). (censorship,
legislation)

In contrast, California aims to support freedom to read for all: As LGBTQ
library material comes under fire, California may ban book bans
<https://calmatters.org/politics/capitol/2024/08/book-bans-california-libraries/>
(Cal Matters, 17 min). New York Public Library continues to highlight and
provide access to banned books: No censorship zone: New York Public Library
celebrates books targeted by bans
<https://abc7ny.com/videoClip/book-ban-american-library-association-teen-banned-club/15146973/>
(ABC 7, 2 min). (censorship)

Closer to home, a city councilor in Seaside, Oregon proposed patron age
restrictions at the Seaside Public Library. He now faces removal from
office after a 63-37 recall vote, expected to be certified by the end of
August. Recall holds against Seaside city councilor over potential age
restrictions at library
<https://www.dailyastorian.com/news/local/recall-holds-against-seaside-city-councilor-over-potential-age-restrictions-at-library/article_8a5419ba-567e-11ef-adca-c7f405474f11.html>
(The Astorian, 3 min). (access, legislation)

NPR’s Code Switch looks at the impact of book bans on Indigenous
literature: 'Not a badge of honor'
<https://www.npr.org/2024/07/31/1197958279/not-a-badge-of-honor-how-book-bans-affect-indigenous-literature>
(34 min). Authors and publishers at San Diego Comic Con discussed the
terrorism of book bans in dividing communities
<https://www.comicsbeat.com/sdcc-24-the-terrorism-of-book-bans-in-dividing-communities/>
(Comics Beat, 8 min). (censorship, diversity)

A new short documentary explores Drag Story Hour
<https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/its-okay-documentary-drag-story-hour-david-france-rcna166017>
through the eyes of kids (NBC News, 5 min) - watch the 'It's Okay' trailer
<https://youtu.be/l_KUNmMUVYc> (YouTube, 2 min). Related, after the Reno
Library cancelled drag queen storytime, a partner organization found other
venues to host the popular program: Drag queen story hour is back on — but
not through Washoe County libraries
<https://www.rgj.com/story/news/local/2024/08/06/drag-queen-story-hour-reno-nevada/74695498007/>
(Reno Gazette Journal, 2 min). (diversity)

Advocacy against censorship continues, see: Students join educators and
advocates in effort to reverse book bans
<https://19thnews.org/2024/07/book-bans-students-parents-advocates/> (19th,
5 min) and Author Jodi Picoult signs letter urging Ron DeSantis to end
'Dark Night of Censorship' in Florida Schools
<https://people.com/jodi-picoult-signs-anti-censorship-letter-to-ron-desantis-8687065>
(People, 5 min). (censorship)

A reminder of how libraries strive to connect people with information and
resources: The library is a commons
<https://inthesetimes.com/article/public-libraries-are-commons-in-america>
(In These Times, 10 min). (access)

Publishing continues to struggle to diversify its workforce: ‘A Lot of Us
Are Gone’: How the Push to Diversify Publishing Fell Short
<https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/21/books/publishing-diversity-lisa-lucas.html>
(New York Times, 12 min). (diversity)

This article on a removal of an essay highlights the complexities of
freedom of speech and censorship and the power dynamics underlying access
to platforms: The cofounder of Guernica on free speech and the retraction
of the Israel-Gaza essay
<https://lithub.com/the-cofounder-of-guernica-on-free-speech-and-the-retraction-of-the-israel-gaza-essay/>
(LitHub, 9 min). Related, The State Library of Victoria controversy shows
what can happen when institutions cling to ‘neutrality’
<https://theconversation.com/the-state-library-of-victoria-controversy-shows-what-can-happen-when-institutions-cling-to-neutrality-235004>
(Conversation, 6 min). (first amendment, censorship, neutrality)

Bill aimed at protecting children online sparks debate over censorship and
privacy
<https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/bill-aimed-at-protecting-children-online-sparks-debate-over-censorship-and-privacy>
(PBS News, 8 min). The Washington Post highlights privacy issues with AI
tech aimed at protecting kids
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/07/face-scanning-kids-online-privacy/>
online (13 min). More on legislation focused on privacy protections for
minors
<https://www.insideprivacy.com/childrens-privacy/state-and-federal-developments-in-minors-privacy-in-2024/>
(Covington, 5 min). For a deeper look at privacy concerns, check out Candy
Crushed: Harvard Law expert on children’s data safety
<https://hls.harvard.edu/today/dojs-lawsuit-against-tiktok-signals-more-aggressive-policing-of-childrens-privacy-online-says-harvard-law-expert/>(Harvard
Law Today, 14 min).  (privacy)

A new report looks at how disinformation targets Black communities
<https://www.wabe.org/new-report-reveals-how-disinformation-targets-black-communities/>
(WABE, 2 min). Read the full report: Landscape - Onyx Impact
<https://www.onyximpact.org/landscape.html>. (disinformation)

Tech Policy unpacks common disinformation issues with election information
<https://www.techpolicy.press/dont-let-generative-ai-distract-us-from-the-real-election-risks-in-tech/>
in light of tech and AI, including tips for the general public (7 min).
Related: Russia is relying on Americans to spread election disinformation,
officials say
<https://apnews.com/article/russia-trump-biden-harris-china-election-disinformation-54d7e44de370f016e87ab7df33fd11c8>
(AP News, 6 min). The National Education Association offers insights
on responding
to disinformation
<https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/how-stop-disinformation>
(5 min). (disinformation)

This look back at how a movie exploited limited access to information
<https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/07/movies/blair-witch-project-reality-anniversary.html>,
sheds some light on the current climate of uncertainty about information.
(New York Times, 11 min). (disinformation, information literacy)

Senators expose car companies’ terrible data privacy practices
<https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2024/07/senators-expose-car-companies-terrible-data-privacy-practices>
(Electronic Frontier Foundation, 6 min). This long read from The
Conversation unpacks gift card scams and lack of consumer protections
<https://theconversation.com/gift-card-scams-generate-billions-for-fraudsters-and-industry-as-regulators-fail-to-protect-consumers-and-how-one-83-year-old-fell-into-the-fear-bubble-236439>
(33 min). ( (privacy, information literacy)

AI Spotlight
Explainer of the ubiquitous CAPTCHA and impact of AI on them: CAPTCHAs: The
struggle to tell real humans from fake
<https://theconversation.com/captchas-the-struggle-to-tell-real-humans-from-fake-232369>
(Conversation, 5 min). (information literacy, cybersecurity)

AI needs data to learn and be more dynamic and publishers are being tapped
as resources for that data: Academic authors 'shocked' after Taylor &
Francis sells access to their research to Microsoft AI
<https://www.thebookseller.com/news/academic-authors-shocked-after-taylor--francis-sells-access-to-their-research-to-microsoft-ai>
(Bookseller, 7 min). (copyright)

There are concerns about AI proliferating disinformation, but it also has
the potential to dispel conspiracies
<https://www.techpolicy.press/using-ai-to-engage-people-about-conspiracy-beliefs/>.
(Tech Policy, 35 min). (disinformation)

X is training Grok AI on your data—here’s how to stop it
<https://arstechnica.com/ai/2024/07/x-is-training-grok-ai-on-your-data-heres-how-to-stop-it/>
(Ars Technica, 3 min). (privacy)
------------------------------
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 the Multnomah County Library 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]
[This email was encrypted for your privacy and security]
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://omls.oregon.gov/pipermail/libs-or/attachments/20240830/5a7988fa/attachment-0001.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: August2024_  IntellectualFreedomNews.pdf
Type: application/pdf
Size: 167334 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <https://omls.oregon.gov/pipermail/libs-or/attachments/20240830/5a7988fa/attachment-0002.pdf>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: Censor This! flyer.pdf
Type: application/pdf
Size: 719076 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <https://omls.oregon.gov/pipermail/libs-or/attachments/20240830/5a7988fa/attachment-0003.pdf>