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

[Jennifer Keyser]

 Hello Oregon Library Community!

The September edition of Multnomah County Library's Intellectual Freedom
Newsletter is out -see below and attached PDF. In recognition of Banned
Books Week <https://bannedbooksweek.org/>, the newsletter highlights
reports, news, recent legislation and resources on banned books and
censorship. The newsletter also includes articles on other IF topics,
including copyright, disinformation, privacy. Plus AI Spotlight continues
to be part of the newsletter.

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

Rights, Responsibilities & Reactions
Intellectual Freedom Newsletter – September 2024

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


Banned Books Week

From Multnomah County Library: Celebrating ‘banned books’ as censorship
looms near and far
<https://www.portlandtribune.com/opinion/opinion-celebrating-banned-books-as-censorship-looms-near-and-far/article_c9260bb8-76c6-11ef-be6e-dbc62dafb228.html>
(Portland Tribune, 2 min).

Recent censorship and limits on access under parental rights policy
happening in Oregon:

   -

   Hundreds push back on removal of ‘How the García Girls Lost Their
   Accents’ novel from Tillamook High School curriculum
   <https://www.opb.org/article/2024/09/23/hundreds-push-back-removal-how-the-garcia-girls-lost-their-accents-novel-tillamook-high-school-curriculum/>
   (OPB, 9 min).
   -

   New proposed Grants Pass School District 7 policies indicate board’s
   shift to the right
   <https://www.opb.org/article/2024/09/08/new-proposed-grants-pass-school-district-7-policies-board-shift-right/>
   (5 min).

Censorship reports show a mixed picture on U.S. book challenges
<https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/book-censorship-2024-lgbtq-race-rcna172033>
(NBC News, 5 min).  The Knight Foundation released a new report examining
impressions of current book challenges: Americans’ Views on Book
Restrictions in U.S. Public Schools 2024
<https://knightfoundation.org/reports/americans-views-on-book-restrictions-in-u-s-public-schools-2024/>
(6
min).

American Libraries Magazine provides a look back: Censorship Throughout the
Centuries
<https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2024/09/03/censorship-throughout-the-centuries/>
(13 min).
<https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2024/09/03/censorship-throughout-the-centuries/>

Outrage grows as school textbook writers asked to censor their books:
'These ill-considered actions are going to cheat Florida students'
<https://www.thecooldown.com/green-business/florida-textbook-censorship-climate-change/>
(The Cool Down, 3 min).

Dave Eggers fights back against book banning in new documentary
<https://people.com/dave-eggers-book-banning-documentary-exclusive-8691972>
(People, 6 min). Watch the documentary:  To Be Destroyed
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8AECXju6yc> (MSNBC News on YouTube, 32
min).

The University of Washington provides a profile of Tracie Hall, who
recently joined their iSchool faculty: Tracie D. Hall, the librarian
speaking out against censorship and book bans that threaten learning and
access to information
<https://magazine.washington.edu/feature/tracie-d-hall-the-librarian-speaking-out-against-censorship-and-book-bans-that-threaten-learning-and-access-to-information/>
(12 min).

Amanda Jones writes from the perspective of being targeted as librarian: This
election will determine the fate of libraries
<https://time.com/7011430/libraries-election-stakes-amanda-jones-essay/>
(Time, 6 min). Read more about her work challenging book bans in this the
Los Angeles Times
<https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2024-08-22/la-et-that-librarian-book>
(11 min) and th The New York Times
<https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/03/books/amanda-jones-librarian-book-bans.html>
(10 min). Check out her book: That Librarian: The fight against book
banning in America
<https://multcolib.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S152C2392949>.

LGBTQ+
GLAAD reports: Expanding freedom: Little Free Libraries join Banned Books
Week
<https://glaad.org/expanding-freedom-little-free-libraries-join-banned-books-week/>
(6 min) and Deeply unpopular book bans are a losing ticket in the 2024
election
<https://glaad.org/deeply-unpopular-book-bans-are-a-losing-ticket-in-the-2024-election/>
(6 min).

Censorship through centuries: Rebecca L. Davis on the long fight for queer
liberation
<https://lithub.com/censorship-through-centuries-rebecca-l-davis-on-the-long-fight-for-queer-liberation/>
(Lit
Hub, 21 min). Check out her book: Fierce Desires: A new history of sex and
sexuality in America
<https://multcolib.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S152C2459953>.

High school shuts down its library because of book-banning state law
<https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2024/08/high-school-shuts-down-its-library-because-of-book-banning-state-law/>
(LGBTQ Nation, 6 min).

Legal Cases and Legislation

New York Times reports: New state laws are fueling a surge in book bans
<https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/23/books/book-bans-laws.html> (3 min).
Read the reports mentioned in the article: PEN America’s School book bans
<https://pen.org/memo-on-school-book-bans-2023-2024-school-year/> (8 min)
and ALA’s Book Ban Data <https://www.ala.org/bbooks/book-ban-data> (4 min).

ACLU fights government censorship of books in Texas public libraries
<https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-fights-government-censorship-of-books-in-texas-public-libraries>
(5 min). NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund also steps up: LDF files amicus brief
supporting access to public library books about race and gender
<https://www.naacpldf.org/press-release/ldf-files-amicus-brief-supporting-access-to-public-library-books-about-race-and-gender/>.
More on the First Amendment and the court case in Texas: On Appeal, Llano
County seeks book ban ruling that would upend public libraries
<https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/libraries/article/96015-on-appeal-llano-county-seeks-book-ban-ruling-that-would-upend-public-libraries.html>
(9 min).

By claiming library collections as government speech
<https://www.alreporter.com/2024/09/11/prattville-library-eyes-5th-circuit-dissent-as-template-for-victory/>,
a school in Alabama may be able to set limits on the policing of librarians
(Alabama Political Reporter, 4 min).

Book publishers file lawsuit, say Florida book ban law is unconstitutional
<https://www.the74million.org/article/book-publishers-file-lawsuit-say-florida-book-ban-law-is-unconstitutional/>
(The 74, 4 min). NPR reports a First Amendment lawsuit in Florida: Banned
books are returning to shelves in one Florida school district
<https://www.npr.org/2024/09/16/nx-s1-5111692/banned-books-are-returning-to-shelves-in-one-florida-school-district>
(3 min).

California passes Freedom to Read Act, targeting book bans at public
libraries
<https://sd37.senate.ca.gov/news/state-senate-passes-california-freedom-read-act-targeting-book-bans-public-libraries>
(2 min). More on the legislation: How a proposed California law could end
book bans in public libraries
<https://www.capradio.org/articles/2024/09/05/how-a-proposed-california-law-could-end-book-bans-in-public-libraries/>
(CAP
Radio, 11 min).

Book Bans and Censorship Resources:

   -

   Unite Against Book Bans <https://uniteagainstbookbans.org/>, toolkits
   and other resources for fighting against censorship:
   -

   National Center Against Censorship <https://ncac.org/resources>
   -

   Scary Mommy’s: Your 101 Guide To Fighting A Local Book Ban
   <https://www.scarymommy.com/parenting/your-101-guide-to-fighting-a-local-book-ban>

   -

   For the People: A leftist library project
   <https://www.librariesforthepeople.org/> -offers classes and guides on
   being an advocate and getting involved on school or library boards:
   -

   Penguin Random House’s Banned Books Resources
   <https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/banned-books/>, see also Random
   House Teachers and Librarians: SUPPORT AND READ BANNED & CHALLENGED BOOKS!
   <https://www.rhteacherslibrarians.com/latest-buzz/support-read-banned-books/>

   -

   PEN America’s Book Bans - reports on book bans in school and public
   libraries
   -

   Every Library’s Legislation of Concern in 2024
   <https://www.everylibrary.org/billtracking> tracks legislation impacting
   libraries
   -

   Learn more about censorship in prisons at Prison Banned Books Week
   <https://prisonbannedbooksweek.org/>

Other Intellectual Freedom News

Read about the impact of libraries on communities: Sullivan City’s
first-ever public library transforming community
<https://myrgv.com/local-news/2024/08/13/sullivan-citys-first-ever-public-library-transforming-community/>
(MyRGV, 6 min), First Indianapolis library to serve Black community reopens
at school
<https://www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2024/08/19/first-indianapolis-library-for-black-residents-reopens-for-students/>
(Chalkbeat, 7 min) and Pages of hope: How book donations make a difference
in prisoners’ lives
<https://www.wlrn.org/education/2024-08-08/pages-of-hope-how-book-donations-make-a-difference-in-prisoners-lives>
(WLRN) . (access, diversity)

The Black List <https://blcklst.com/>, which has primarily focused on
screenplays, announced an expansion into the world of fiction: The Black
List Helped Reshape Hollywood. Can It Change Publishing?
<https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/04/books/the-black-list-publishing.html>
(New York Times, 4 min). (diversity)

A brief news article on How misinformation, disinformation can sway voters
<https://www.wifr.com/2024/09/11/how-misinformation-disinformation-can-sway-voters/>
(WIFR, 2 min), which references a new resource from the News Literacy
Project: Misinformation Dashboard: Election 2024
<https://misinfodashboard.newslit.org/> - a tool tracking the topics and
tactics of 2024 election misinformation. Nature examines the creation of
disinformation:  How influencers and algorithms mobilize propaganda — and
distort reality <https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-02917-1> (9
min). TikTok Expands its Election Resources Ahead of November
<https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/04/business/tiktok-vote-election.html>
(New York Times, 3 min). For a more in-depth look at social media and
disinformation, see Steven Brill’s The Death of Truth
<https://multcolib.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S152C2421743>, which is
summarized
along with some resources by CBS News
<https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fake-news-social-media-and-the-death-of-truth/>
(5 min).  (disinformation, information literacy)

The Internet Archive loses its appeal of a major copyright case
<https://www.wired.com/story/internet-archive-loses-hachette-books-case-appeal/>
(Wired, 6 min). Read more about the impact on libraries: Why a ruling
against the Internet Archive threatens the future of America’s libraries
<https://www.technologyreview.com/2024/09/11/1103838/why-a-ruling-against-the-internet-archive-threatens-the-future-of-americas-libraries/>
(MIT Technology Review, 6 min) and Internet Archive's court loss leaves
higher ed in gray area
<https://www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-innovation/libraries/2024/09/09/internet-archives-court-loss-leaves-higher-ed-gray-area>
(Higher Ed, 10 min)  (copyright, access)

The Internet Archive is hosting a free book talk with Barbara McQuade,
scholar focused on disinformation: Book Talk: Attack from Within
<https://www.eventbrite.com/e/book-talk-attack-from-within-tickets-912321276497>
(Eventbrite). (disinformation)

Library Journal reports that direct access to the Wayback Machine is now
available via Google Search results pages
<https://www.infodocket.com/2024/09/11/wonderful-news-direct-access-to-the-wayback-machine-now-available-via-google/>
(Library Journal, 2 min). (information literacy)

Slate provides commentary on the impact of expanded police surveillance
<https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2024/08/police-surveillance-wont-make-us-safer-broken-windows-on-steroids.html>
(7 min). The article references the Community Violence Intervention
<https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions/solutions/community-violence-intervention>
program developed by the Bloomberg School of Public Health at John Hopkins.
(privacy, equity)

DAIR <https://www.dair-institute.org/news/> released a new interactive map
for tracking surveillance companies: Surveillance Watch
<https://www.surveillancewatch.io/>. (privacy)

Consumer Reports released a new report on people-search site removal
services
<https://innovation.consumerreports.org/new-report-data-defense-evaluating-people-search-site-removal-services/>(2
min). Read the full report: Data Defense: Evaluating People-Search Site
Removal Services
<https://innovation.consumerreports.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Data-Defense_-Evaluating-People-Search-Site-Removal-Services-.pdf>
(privacy)

 Oregon ArtsWatch is doing a 3-part series on copyright, read Part 1: Warhol
and the Supreme Court: Nothing comes from nothing
<https://www.orartswatch.org/warhol-and-the-supreme-court-nothing-comes-from-nothing/>
(10 min) and Part 2: Warhol and the Supreme Court: The new problem
<https://www.orartswatch.org/warhol-and-the-supreme-court-part-2-the-new-problem/>
(9 min) . (copyright)

Libraries are essential for internet access, even as national broadband
projects ramp up
<https://www.marketplace.org/2024/08/23/libraries-remain-essential-for-internet-access-national-broadband-access/>
(Marketplace, 5 min). Prospect offers a look at libraries in England as the
heart of public knowledge: Our libraries are on borrowed time
<https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/culture/books/67177/on-borrowed-time>
(18 min). (access)

AI Spotlight
Verifying facts in the age of AI – librarians offer 5 strategies
<https://www.the74million.org/article/verifying-facts-in-the-age-of-ai-librarians-offer-5-strategies/>
(The 74, 5 min). Related, A.I. can now create lifelike videos. Can you tell
what’s real?
<https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/09/09/technology/ai-video-deepfake-runway-kling-quiz.html>
(New York Times, 5min) and When A.I.’s output is a threat to A.I. itself
<https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/08/26/upshot/ai-synthetic-data.html>
(New York Time, 13 min). (information literacy)

An overview of AI-driven apps for smartphones: How to turn your old iPhone
into an A.I. phone (and skip the ipgrade)
<https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/09/technology/personaltech/iphone-ai-upgrade.html>
(New York Times, 5 min).

ChatGPT maker says its new AI model can reason and think ‘much like a
person’
<https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/13/tech/chatgpt-openai-o1-human-reasoning/index.html>
(CNN Business, 2 min). Forbes offers tips for interacting with the new
version of ChatGPT: How to prompt the new ChatGPT: Advice from OpenAI
<https://www.forbes.com/sites/jodiecook/2024/09/14/how-to-prompt-the-new-chatgpt-advice-from-openai/>
(4 min). Related, the Washington Post provides visual overview of the cost
of AI chats: A bottle of water per email: the hidden environmental costs of
using AI chatbots
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/09/18/energy-ai-use-electricity-water-data-centers/>
(6 min).



Tech Policy offers a deep dive into the misconceptions surrounding
generative AI: Challenging the myths of generative AI
<https://www.techpolicy.press/challenging-the-myths-of-generative-ai/> (18
min).


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

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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