We start the year where we left off in 2022: with the pernicious wave of book bans and censorship in our libraries and schools. But at least we get to start off this first column of 2023 with a few positive headlines.
Library Journal has named the Brooklyn Public Library’s Books Unbanned Team its 2022 Librarians of the Year, for their work "providing free e-book access to teens and young adults nationwide, defying rising book challenges across the country." As LJ's Lisa Peet writes, Books Unbanned offers free BPL e-cards to teens and young adults aged 13 to 21 anywhere in the United States, giving them unlimited access to the library’s collection.
In case you missed it, in December we at Publishers Weekly named those standing up to book bans and censorship as our 2022 People of the Year.
More evidence that book bans and state overreach into libraries are unpopular: In Missouri, the public comments are in and according to a report in the St. Louis Post Dispatch, the majority oppose Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft's proposed plan to block funding for libraries that offer allegedly inappropriate content to minors. According to the report, Ashcroft's office received a record 16,000 comments, with Ashcroft spokesman JoDonn Chaney conceding that "the percentage is greater for the negative comments.” At the same time, Chaney seemed to suggest the negative public reaction to Ashcroft's plan won't matter, telling reporters that comments that don't offer alternatives to Ashcroft's proposal “were not especially helpful.”
In Oregon, OPB News reports that people packed the Crook County Library board meeting to speak against a bid to "segregate LGBTQ-friendly children’s books into a separate section" of the library. And the library board responded appropriately, voting 4-1 to reject the measure. More proof that standing up and showing up matters.
In a strong editorial, the Las Vegas Sun speaks out against the wave of politically-motivated book bans. "2022 was the year we tried to ban books in America. Let’s make 2023 the year we embrace the transformative power of books to prepare our children for future success."
At Book Riot, Kelly Jensen's excellent weekly roundup of book banning stories from around the nation includes a call for information for a database of groups working to defend against censorship.
In Texas, the local Fort Worth Report has more on state rep. Tom Oliverson's bill to require publishers to include "age appropriate" ratings on school library books. “Bottom line is that if I can’t read it aloud at a publicly televised school board meeting without breaking a dozen FCC rules, you can call that censorship, but that essentially is the law,” Oliverson said.
The New York Times has a hit with this piece on Library TikTok. "Library TikTok is related to, but distinct from, BookTok, a corner of the platform where readers post about their favorite books and which has become a force in book sales. On library TikTok, there is chatter about books, but librarians also post about resources and events, showcasing libraries as welcoming places for diverse communities."
In a hopeful sign for net neutrality, President Biden has renominated Gigi Sohn to the FCC. As reported in NextGov, if Sohn can get a confirmation vote in the Senate the FCC will finally have the votes to restore net neutrality protections. "Sohn is a strong net neutrality advocate, and her confirmation to the agency would align with Biden’s presidential campaign pledge to reinstate the rules requiring that internet service providers treat all online traffic equally," the report states.
In the Financial Times, a well-reasoned argument for better library funding. "Imagine if libraries didn’t need to fight this perennial battle—if the crucial social infrastructure they provide to our cities operated at more than subsistence level," writes Oliver Roeder.
In case you missed it over the holidays, libraries fared decently in the federal budget deal signed into law last month. According to the ALA: "The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, saw an increase of $13.5 million, raising the program to $211 million as the leading source of federal funding for America’s libraries. In addition, the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL), a program designed to support school library literacy initiatives nationwide, saw a $1 million increase, bringing total funding to $30 million for the Department of Education program."
Also from ALA, If you haven't already made plans to attend LibLearnX, set for January 27-30 in New Orleans, there still time. In recent weeks a host of new speakers and programs have been added to the program, including an opening session featuring bestselling author Ibram X. Kendi and bestselling YA author Nic Stone.
And finally, a nice interview with ALA president, Lessa Kanani’opua Pelayo-Lozada in Teen Vogue.
The Week in Libraries is a weekly opinion and news column. News, tips, submissions, questions or comments are welcome, and can be submitted via email.
