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

Fri May 31 15:00:00 PDT 2024

Dear Oregon Library Community,

The May edition of Multnomah County Library's IFC Newsletter is now
available (PDF version attached). This month highlights articles on
book censorship from a variety of perspectives. Plus you will find a few
articles on other IF issues, including First Amendment, disinformation and
information literacy.

Thanks for reading and all your work in supporting intellectual freedom!

Rights, Responsibilities & Reactions
Multnomah County Library's Intellectual Freedom Newsletter – May 2024

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

Book bans continue to be targeted at specific groups and inclusive
materials: Mother Jones highlights a recent interview of Ruby Bridges that
touches on book bans as “ridiculous” attempts to “cover up history”
<https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/04/ruby-bridges-blasts-book-bans-as-ridiculous-attempts-to-cover-up-history/>
(3 min). Book bans, threats and cancellations: Asian American authors face
growing challenges
<https://abcnews.go.com/US/book-bans-threats-cancellations-asian-american-authors-face/story?id=109790109>
(ABC News, 7 min). Plus, a win for the LGBTQ+ community and educators: Court
rules religious parents can’t opt their kids out of LGBTQ+ classes
<https://www.them.us/story/court-ruling-religious-parents-lgbtq-books-maryland>
(Them, 5 min). (censorship, diversity, inclusion)

These articles touch on the value of diverse materials and challenging
content in fostering learning and empathy:  How comics can spark
conversations about race and history in the classroom
<https://www.aclu.org/news/free-speech/how-comics-can-spark-conversations-about-race-and-history-in-the-classroom>
(ACLU, 10 min),  Author speaks out, as district considers removing two more
books
<https://www.kxan.com/news/education/author-of-book-pulled-from-lake-travis-isd-elementary-schools-speaks-out-as-district-considers-removing-two-more-books/>
( (KXAN Austin, 3 min), and Books about sexual assault aren't pornographic.
Schools are banning them as 'obscene' anyway.
<https://19thnews.org/2024/04/books-censorship-schools-sexual-assault-obscenity/>
(19th, 9 min). Related, PBS News Hour spotlights the work of teen
advocates: Student Voice: What young people can do about book bans
<https://www.pbs.org/newshour/classroom/classroom-voices/student-voices/2024/04/what-young-people-can-do-about-book-bans>
(5 min) and Nonprofit Quarterly highlights groups fighting against
censorship:  How LGBTQ+ advocates and groups are combating book bans
<https://nonprofitquarterly.org/how-lgbtq-advocates-and-groups-are-combating-book-bans/>
(7 min). (inclusion, diversity, access)

Psychology Today highlights the impact of censorship: Why book bans are bad
for mental health
<https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/well-read/202405/why-book-bans-are-bad-for-mental-health>
(5 min). The Canadian journal The Tyee presents the larger implications of
censorship: Book Bans Are a Warning of Our Endangered Democracy
<https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2024/05/13/Book-Bans-Warning-Endangered-Democracy/>
(11 min). (censorship)

Libraries are being talked about on late night shows and on the hill.
See Libraries:
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42xZB80sZaI> (HBO, 28 min) -The Guardian
offers highlights from the show: John Oliver on public libraries
<https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/article/2024/may/06/john-oliver-libraries>
(6 min). And in D.C., Senator Laphonza Butler is reading banned books out
loud on the Senate floor
<https://rollcall.com/2024/05/06/laphonza-butler-banned-books-senate-floor/>
(Roll Call, 6 min). (censorship, access, diversity)

Laws impacting libraries and library workers continue to make the news: Alabama
librarians facing threat of arrest over books
<https://www.al.com/news/2024/04/alabama-librarians-facing-threat-of-arrest-over-books-we-dont-have-smut.html>
(Al.com, 5 min) and Federal Lawsuit Challenges Prattville Library Policies
<https://www.alreporter.com/2024/05/09/federal-lawsuit-challenges-prattville-library-policies/>
(7 min). Publishers Weekly provides an overview of current lawsuits against
book bans: The Cases Against Book Bans
<https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/95030-the-cases-against-book-bans.html>.
See also, 4 Lawsuits Challenging Book Bans
<https://michiganchronicle.com/4-lawsuits-challenging-book-bans/> (Michigan
Chronicle, 7 min). Related, Push to restrict LGBTQ+ rights hits a snag in
state legislatures
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/04/29/lgbtq-legislation-trans-bills/>
(Washington Post, 16 min). (legislation, first amendment)

Some recent state legislation is resulting in limits on access: New law
restricts access to library materials
<https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/local/orleans/law-taking-effect-june-1-will-impact-what-children-can-checkout-from-louisiana-libraries/289-6a93e500-5e31-450f-b4ce-fe0849fd819e>
(WWLTV, 3 min) and An Idaho Public Library Will Become Adults-Only
<https://bookriot.com/donnelly-public-library-adults-only/>  (Book Riot, 9
min). Although, in Vermont they are taking steps to secure confidentiality
for youth account holders: Lawmakers deliberate bill that would give young
Vermonters confidential access to library materials
<https://www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2024-05-07/lawmakers-deliberate-bill-that-would-give-young-vermonters-confidential-access-to-library-materials>
(Vermont Public, 2 min). (legislation, access)

The NY Department of Education identifies reasons for rejecting the removal
of books: NY Comminsioner upholds decision to retain challenged books in
school library
<https://www.oif.ala.org/ny-commissioner-of-education-upholds-decision-to-retain-challenged-books-in-school-library/>
(ALA, 3 min). At the same time, School Library Journal reports on silent
censorship: The Cover-Up: Some school librarians alter illustrations to
avoid book challenges
<https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/the-cover-up-under-pressure-some-school-librarians-alter-illustrations-to-avoid-book-challenges>
(16 min). (censorship)

Censorship continues to be an issue in Oregon. The Daily Astorian reports
on the recall petition filed against Seaside city councilor over potential
book restrictions
<https://www.dailyastorian.com/news/local/recall-petition-filed-against-seaside-city-councilor-over-potential-book-restrictions/article_da3d9372-16d0-11ef-bafc-0bb7079bfb53.html>
(4 min). (censorship, access)

The Guardian highlights the ongoing censorship of books in prisons: America’s
unseen book bans: the long history of censorship in prisons
<https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/may/09/prison-book-bans>
(10min).

More articles on the current wave of censorship: A podcast from the New
Republic: MAGA rage targeting local librarians is getting uglier
<https://newrepublic.com/article/180519/maga-rage-targeting-local-librarians-getting-uglier>
( 21 min), from the publishing industry: Libraries are under siege
<https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/libraries-are-under-siege,249931>
(Editor and Publisher, 9 min), and an article on relocating books and
privatization of libraries: As book bans soar, public libraries are the new
battleground
<https://capitalandmain.com/as-book-bans-soar-public-libraries-are-the-new-battleground>
(Capital and Main, 14 min).  (censorship)

Protestors shut down an art reception at a library: A photography exhibit
about the West Bank ignites tensions in Newton
<https://www.wbur.org/news/2024/05/21/newton-free-library-photography-exhibit>
(WBUR News, 8 min) (first amendment)

JD Supra provides an overview of various proposed bills in Congress that
push for tech regulation to protect children’s privacy
<https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/congress-pushes-for-sweeping-tech-2018770/>
(5 min). (legislation, privacy)

The New York Times looks at why Britain keeps giving classic movies new
ratings
<https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/08/movies/movie-ratings-britain-bbfc-cara-mpa.html>
(5 min). (censorship, diversity, inclusion)

Libraries are leveraging data to create transparency and
accountability: Libraries
Turn to Data Dashboards to Fight Mistrust
<https://www.govtech.com/biz/data/libraries-turn-to-data-dashboards-to-fight-mistrust>
(Gov Tech, 7 min). (information literacy, privacy)

The Economist has published a series on disinformation, including
Disinformation
is on the rise. How does it work?
<https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2024/05/01/disinformation-is-on-the-rise-how-does-it-work>
(16 min),  The vocabulary of disinformation
<https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2024/05/02/the-vocabulary-of-disinformation>
(10 min), Producing fake information is getting easier
<https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2024/05/01/producing-fake-information-is-getting-easier>
(3 min) and a podcast: Why disinformation is more dangerous than ever
<https://www.economist.com/podcasts/2024/05/08/why-disinformation-is-more-dangerous-than-ever>
(43 min). Access the full issue
<https://www.proquest.com/abicomplete/publication/41716?accountid=37296&decadeSelected=2020+-+2029&yearSelected=2024&monthSelected=05&issueNameSelected=02024Y05Y04$23May+4,+2024$3b++Vol.+451+$289395$29>
via the ABI/Inform database (note articles have different titles). (
disinformation)

AI Spotlight
The Conversation highlights how other factors than bias that impact
decision making in AI: ‘Noise’ in the machine: Human differences in
judgment lead to problems for AI
<https://theconversation.com/noise-in-the-machine-human-differences-in-judgment-lead-to-problems-for-ai-228984>
(Conversation, 7 min). (information literacy)

A brief look at the proliferation of fake documentaries and news reels: The
Rise of Artificial History
<https://www.techpolicy.press/the-rise-of-artificial-history/> (Tech Policy
Press, 7 min). NPR covers why AI-generated spam is starting to fill social
media.
<https://www.npr.org/2024/05/14/1251072726/ai-spam-images-facebook-linkedin-threads-meta>
(NPR, 8 min),  (information literacy)

The New York Times demonstrates the biases of AI with election information: See
how chatbots can be taught to spew disinformation
<https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/05/19/technology/biased-ai-chatbots.html>
(10 min).  In Arizona, election workers trained with deepfakes to prepare
for 2024
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/05/08/arizona-election-workers-trained-with-deepfakes-prepare-2024/>
(Washington Post, 10 min) (disinformation)

An exploratory look at ChatGPT, noting how it mirrors humans and the
opportunities to expand perspectives: ChatGPT: A Partner in Unknowing
<https://emergencemagazine.org/essay/chatgpt-a-partner-in-unknowing/>
(Emergence, 60 min). (information literacy)

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

*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]
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