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

[Jennifer Keyser]

Dear Oregon Library Community,

The July edition of Multnomah County Library's Intellectual Freedom
Newsletter is available now -see below and attached as a PDF.

Thanks for reading and all your work to support intellectual freedom.

Rights, Responsibilities & Reactions
Intellectual Freedom Newsletter – July 2024

------------------------------
The American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom Released
a statement regarding Midwest Tape/Hoopla age and content ratings system
<https://www.oif.ala.org/oif-statement-regarding-midwest-tape-hoopla-age-and-content-ratings-system/>
(3 min). The Oregon Library Association, the Oregon Intellectual Freedom
Committee and Parents Defending Schools and Libraries also released a statement
raising concerns about the proposed rating systems
<https://www.olaweb.org/assets/IntellectualFreedom/IF_Resources/OLA_IFC_Statement_Midwest_Tape_Hoopla_rating_system.pdf>
(8 min). Book Riot provides an overview of the proposed rating systems
<https://bookriot.com/midwest-tape-hoopla-rating-system/> and follow
up clarification
from MidWest Tape/Hoopla
<https://bookriot.com/midwest-tape-hoopla-rating-system/> (5 min and 2
min). (censorship)

Portland artists put a spotlight on book bans: Booklover’s Burlesque:
Banned Books edition fights censorship of people and ideas
<https://www.wweek.com/culture/2024/07/16/booklovers-burlesque-banned-books-edition-fights-censorship-of-people-and-ideas/>
(Willamette Week, 4 min). (censorship)

Laws restricting what can go on library shelves are going into effect in
Idaho
<https://bonnercountydailybee.com/news/2024/jun/30/childrens-school-and-library-protection-act-goes-i/>
(Bonner County Daily Bee, 14 min), South Carolina
<https://www.live5news.com/2024/07/10/new-rule-restricts-whats-allowed-shelves-sc-public-libraries/>
(WCSC, 4 min) and Tennessee
<https://www.fox17.com/news/local/tennessee-law-expands-book-bans-in-schools-targeting-lgbtq-content-and-more>
(Fox 17, 4 min). Libraries in Idaho respond: ‘We are not getting rid of
books’
<https://idahocapitalsun.com/2024/07/15/we-are-not-getting-rid-of-books-how-libraries-across-idaho-are-implementing-new-materials-law/>
(Idaho Capital Sun, 15 min), restrictions on who can challenge books
<https://www.idahoednews.org/state-policy/some-idaho-libraries-put-restrictions-who-can-challenge-books/>
(Idaho Ed News, 5 min) and one library declines to change policy
<https://www.kxly.com/news/north-idaho-libraries-considering-new-policy-to-restrict-access-for-kids/article_b0a31ea4-49ef-11ef-bba8-1f4e4b4ce43f.html>
(KXYL, 3 min). A lawsuit in Florida may have national implications: Florida
legislation leaning on government speech to limit access to books
<https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2024/07/24/another-free-speech-battle-emerges-in-florida-over-book-bans/74414313007/>
in schools (Tallahassee Democrat, 6 min). In Colorado, policy changes are
being made at libraries
<https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/what-to-ban-books-durango-public-library-just-made-it-tougher/>
to limit challenges and reinforce recent anti-censorship legislation
(Durango Herald, 6 min). (legislation, first amendment)

Library Journal provides an insightful overview of legislation impacting
libraries
<https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/on-the-books-library-legislation-2024-censorship>
–both for and against censorship, who is funding the organizations and why
some fail (15 min). Related, book bans in the courts: Fifth Circuit to take
another swing at its messy library book removal decision
<https://www.techdirt.com/2024/07/16/fifth-circuit-is-going-to-take-another-swing-at-its-extremely-messy-library-book-removal-decision/>
(Tech Dirt, 10 min). (legislation, first amendment)

NBC reports on the two-year fight to bring charges against school
librarians in Texas
<https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/school-librarians-banned-books-investigation-texas-rcna161444>
(13 min). (censorship)

Annalee Newitz, author of a new book on disinformation
<https://multcolib.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S152C2418550>, highlights the
why behind the current attack on libraries
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/07/24/libraries-end-culture-wars-book-bans/>
in an opinion piece in the Washington Post (5 min). Related, protests
against censorship are having a positive impact: Project Censored dispatch:
Free people read freely
<https://sacramento.newsreview.com/2024/07/17/project-censored-dispatch-free-people-read-freely/>
(Sacramento News & Review, 9 min). Katherine Applegate talks about her book
being pulled: 'Wishtree' Author Responds To Virginia Community’s
Cancellation Of 'One Book' Program
<https://wvpublic.org/wishtree-author-responds-to-virginia-communitys-cancellation-of-one-book-program/>
(WVPB, 8 min). CNN reports on the banning of Ban This Book in Florida
<https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/23/us/florida-book-ban-alan-gratz-response/index.html>
and the author’s response (4 min). (censorship)

A new study
<https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/article/3/6/pgae197/7689238?login=false>
was released on book bans that finds the bans target diverse authors and
characters in children's books
<https://www.kunc.org/regional-news/2024-07-09/book-bans-target-diverse-authors-and-characters>
(KUNC, 2 min). In Canada, a study shows that book bans are resulting in an
increased interest in the titles
<https://publishingperspectives.com/2024/07/in-canada-censorship-and-library-patron-interest-in-books/>
(Publishing Perspectives, 5 min). (censorship)

Human Rights Watch issued an in-depth report on the fight against
censorship in Florida: How They Defend the Freedom to Learn
<https://www.hrw.org/feature/2024/07/18/how-they-defend-the-freedom-to-learn/stories-and-a-blueprint-from-florida>
(25 min). Read about proactive steps being taken to counter protests and
bans: Library employed barriers, bans as protests at drag queen story hours
heated up
<https://www.rgj.com/story/news/local/2024/07/05/library-cracked-down-as-protests-at-drag-queen-story-hours-heated-up/74129396007/>
(Reno Gazette Journal, 4 min) and ‘The power of fiction’: San Francisco
store sends LGBTQ+ books to states that ban them
<https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/02/fabulosa-books-san-francisco-lgbtq-book-bans>
(Guardian, 5 min). (inclusion, diversity)

The New Republic reports on how drag queens, trans people, and LGBTQ+ books
are the targets in Project 2025
<https://newrepublic.com/article/183636/project-2025-war-porn-trans-drag>
(8 min). Authors Against Book Bans <https://www.authorsagainstbookbans.com/>
call out the impact of Project 2025 on the freedom to read and queer
communities
<https://lithub.com/the-republicans-project-2025-is-disastrous-for-books/>
(LitHub, 5 min). While GLAD highlights the history of drag and LGBTQ+
activism
<https://www.glad.org/international-drag-day-drag-and-the-fight-for-lgbtq-rights/>
(6 min). (censorship, inclusion, diversity)

Publishers Weekly calls out the costs and constraints of digital content
that are impacting the budgets of libraries: Libraries must draw the line
on e-books
<https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/libraries/article/80689-libraries-must-draw-the-line-on-e-books.html>
(8 min). Axios highlights the key issues underlying libraries having to
limit access to e-books: E-book demand stretches Indianapolis Public
Library budget
<https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/06/10/e-book-demand-indianapolis-public-library-budget>
(3 min). See also, libraries struggle to afford the demand for e-books and
seek new state laws in fight with publishers
<https://apnews.com/article/libraries-ebooks-publishers-expensive-laws-5d494dbaee0961eea7eaac384b9f75d2>
(AP News, 7 min). (access)



The Washington Post offers a guide on How to avoid falling for
misinformation and conspiracy theories
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/misinformation-ai-twitter-facebook-guide/>
(9 min). While the BBC provides an analysis on how misleading information
relating to elections is easily spread on social media: This wasn’t the
social media election everyone expected
<https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj50qjy9g7ro> (9 min). Related, Feds
shut down Russian AI 'bot farm' that spread disinformation for Putin
<https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/07/09/feds-disrupt-bot-farm-that-spread-social-media-lies-for-putin/74343215007/>
(USA Today, 4 min).  (disinformation, information literacy)

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently launched the BBB Scam Survival Kit
<https://scamsurvivaltoolkit.bbbmarketplacetrust.org/>, an interactive
guide to identifying immediate steps to take and resources for dealing with
scams. (disinformation, privacy)

Research on disinformation is being threatened: Trump allies crush
misinformation research ahead of election
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/07/14/trump-allies-disarm-misinformation-researchers-ahead-election/>
(Washington Post, 9 min). (disinformation)

Library Freedom Project <https://libraryfreedom.org/> recently
published a guide
on data brokers
<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FMtjRVeksRMe_G563EjKPelrl6qqGWDr/view>. (
privacy)

Forbes highlights why data privacy laws fail to protect consumers
<https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2024/06/12/why-data-privacy-measures-fall-short/>
(6 min), while Tech Policy posits the idea that consumers need more agency
in managing online
<https://www.techpolicy.press/from-recommendation-engines-to-rewilding-reclaiming-our-agency-online/>
information to make better decisions about connections and engaging with
information (9 min). (privacy)

Tech Policy looks at legislation protecting kids’ privacy through the lens
of post-Chevron deference
<https://www.techpolicy.press/protecting-kids-privacy-postchevron-deference/>,
including implications for privacy of teens (8 min). The Verge’s Decoder
podcast dives into the impact of the Chevron decision on net neutrality
<https://www.theverge.com/24205957/supreme-court-chevron-loper-bright-net-neutrality-federal-regulation-congress-decoder-interview>
(37 min). (privacy, access).

An explainer of the copyright issues underlying the lawsuit against the
Internet Archive by publishers: Deep Dive: The Internet Archive Lawsuit And
Its Impact on Digital Libraries
<https://www.medianama.com/2024/07/223-deep-dive-the-internet-archive-lawsuit-and-its-impact-on-digital-libraries/>
(Medianama, 10 min). (copyright)

Romance Bookstores Are Booming, Dishing ‘All the Hot Stuff You Can Imagine’
<https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/07/books/romance-bookstores.html> (New
York Times, 9 min). (access)

AI Spotlight
Forbes reminds readers that AI chatbots are not reliable: Warning: AI
Chatbots Can Spread Disinformation
<https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2024/07/18/warning-ai-chatbots-can-spread-disinformation/>
(4 min). (disinformation)

The Conversation provides insights on AI from a disability-centered
perspective: Disability community has long wrestled with ‘helpful’
technologies – lessons for everyone in dealing with AI
<https://theconversation.com/disability-community-has-long-wrestled-with-helpful-technologies-lessons-for-everyone-in-dealing-with-ai-227979>
(8 min). (accessibility)

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

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