A somewhat abbreviated column this week begins with a chance to look back at one of the more talked about sessions at the recently concluded ALA Annual Conference: Emily Amick, former counsel to U.S. Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer—and @emilyinyourphone on social media—who spoke at ALA about how right wing groups like Moms for Liberty are fueling a nationwide surge in book bans, and why. This week, Amick published a version of her ALA speech on her Substack, and it's well-worth a share.
The presentation, first delivered at the United For Libraries President's Program at ALA last month (with an introduction from UFL president Gordon Baker) discussed how Moms for Liberty works alongside groups like ALEC (a conservative group that focuses on state legislatures) and the Heritage Foundation (the conservative group that has worked effectively in recent years to reshape the judiciary) to harness "culture war" issues in a broader pursuit of political power.
"Books bans aren’t about the books. They are part of a much bigger fight over who gets to control the contours of our society—what ideas, what people, what history are we going to allow to exist," Amick writes. "So while I know it’s absolutely critical for [the library community] to be equipped with the tactics and techniques to fight book bans, I want to push you to think bigger about what we’re up against and how to fight it."
By now, the political nature of the current surge in book bans (and the role played by groups like Moms for Liberty) is no secret. But Amick's speech offers a quick, straightforward, and easily shareable primer on what librarians, teachers, and freedom to read advocates are up against, and includes some ideas on how to fight back.
IFLA (the International Federation of Library Associations) announced this week that it will hold a member referendum on the group's recently announced decision to hold its World Library and Information Congress 2024 in Dubai, UAE. IFLA has faced significant criticism for selecting Dubai, as homosexuality is illegal there. It's unclear whether IFLA is having second thoughts, as the referendum is "advisory only," IFLA officials note in their announcement, not a binding vote.
At the ALA Annual Conference, the ALA Council passed a resolution condemning IFLA's decision to meet in Dubai "without the inclusion of the full and unfettered participation of the LGBTI special interest group (SIG) and the allowance of programming and other activities related to the LGBTQIA+ community with guarantees of the safety and immunity from prosecution of crimes related to consensual homosexual activity and gender expression." There appears to be no such assurance at this time.
"IFLA sought assurances that there would be no barriers to including the discussion of services to LGBTQ+ users in the conference," notes an IFLA advisory paper. "However, on 25 May 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the constitution and laws of the UAE mean that Dubai is unable to provide a platform for the LGBTQ+ Users Special Interest Group to discuss topics related to equity and inclusion issues of LGBTQ+ communities in the conference."
CNN reports on how book "vendors" in Texas are feeling the burden of a new state law that requires them to implement a book rating system to sell to school libraries. "Book vendors selling to Texas public schools, ranging from national sellers like Amazon to local bookstores with eight employees, must now rate all the books they sell based on sexual content, according to new legislation signed into law on June 12," the report notes. Ben Conn, president of the Educational Book and Media Association, told reporters the law burdens the entire book industry, from Amazon and publishers like Penguin Random House to independent booksellers like BookPeople, whose CEO Charley Rejsek told reporters she doesn’t have the time or resources to rate the thousands of books she might sell to a school. "We’re losing all school business forever. That’s how it’s going to hurt us,” Rejsek told CNN.
In North Dakota, the Grand Forks Herald reports on what comes next for librarians following the passage of House Bill 1205, which requires that libraries remove or relocate vaguely defined "explicit sexual material" from children's collections. "Librarians in the region have previously shared their concern on the bill’s vague language and how that could impact day-to-day operations, specifically how much material librarians may have to sift through," the report states. The bill defines "explicit sexual material" as material "patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community in North Dakota as a whole with respect to what is suitable material for minors."
The Louisiana Illuminator reports that governor John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, has signed a controversial state law that requires libraries to restrict minors’ access to material the state defines as sexually explicit. Among the bill's provisions, it requires libraries to "create a card system so parents can prevent their children from checking out books deemed inappropriate," the report notes along with adopting new policy language on access to "material that describes sexual conduct.” If libraries do not comply, the state can withhold funding from libraries. “As we have said from the beginning, this bill paves the way for book bans across Louisiana, financially penalizing libraries that do not have the means to comply, while doing nothing to solve the great number of actual problems we are dealing with,” Lynette Mejía, cofounder of Louisiana Citizens Against Censorship, told the Illuminator.
Over at Book Riot, Kelly Jensen begins her weekly censorship column by noting that it is not just new tiles that book banners are going after. "Despite growth in diversity both in publishing and in young people, it is curious to see that the most banned and challenged books in the USA average a publication date equal to today’s teenagers," she writes."These books, many classics of course, are not contemporary depictions of concerns or realities of today’s teens; good literature endures, so this isn’t a condemnation of that. Instead, it’s a moment to pause and realize that the process of getting books banned is long, requires wide access to books, and has a wealth of information about previous challenges and bans upon which book censorship advocates can draw."
In Kansas, local affiliate 12 News reports that the Sterling library director Kari Wheeler has been fired by the library board, which Wheeler suggests was in retaliation for not removing a rainbow flag from a display.
In Utah, local station KUER talks with a second generation librarian who is taking a break from the profession amid the pressures of the job today. "As much as Bates cares deeply about her students and loves libraries, the job has taken a toll on her mental health," the report notes. "Bates attributes multiple factors to why she is quitting but said the rise in book challenges and book bans over the last couple of years has certainly played a role. Her mom was in a middle school library for over 10 years, she said, and only received one book challenge... When Bates reflects on her recent career, she estimates she has dealt with some form of book banning or censorship every month for the last two years. 'It is not sustainable,' Bates said. 'I can’t do it.'”
In the U.K., the Guardian has an article on a new report that stresses the value of libraries. "Libraries in England generate at least £3.4 billion in value a year through services supporting children’s literacy, digital inclusion and health," the article notes, citing research from the University of East Anglia. "The report, published on Friday, should be a 'gamechanger' for how libraries are viewed by 'local and national' decision-makers, said Isobel Hunter, chief executive of Libraries Connected, the charity that commissioned the report. "'The evidence is clear: investing in libraries brings huge returns for local communities and the public purse.'”
LawSites reports on a survey of 275 legal professionals conducted by Wolters Kluwer and Above the Law, which suggests that law librarians are at risk of being replaced by generative AI. But opinions vary. “I can’t imagine a significant number of law firms, especially solo practitioners and small firms, adopting AI at a fast pace at all,” one commentator pointed out. “It took law firms 10 or 15 years to adopt cloud technology.”
And finally this week, from Queens, QNS reports on New York City libraries honoring the 50th anniversary of hip hop with some pretty cool programs and events, including a dope library card from Queens Public Library designed by Shirt Kings streetwear.
"While set to be available at QPL branches on July 14, the new library cards will first be available at a release party at the Queens Central Library at 89-11 Merrick Blvd. at 11:30 a.m. on July 13. The party will offer attendees with early access to the cards and feature the Shirt Kings, QPL Hip Hop Coordinator Ralph McDaniels, and other special guest," writes John Schilling. "In addition to QPL, the New York Public Library (NYPL) will also release a special edition card recognizing hip-hop, but with a different design. Instead of the Shirt Kings, NYPL’s card features the 'Wild Style' mural from the original soundtrack of the 1983 film of the same name. Created by Charlie Ahearn and set in the South Bronx, 'Wild Style' is considered to be the first-ever hip-hop film."
