We start this week with Book Riot and Kelly Jensen's weekly roundup of book bans and censorship-related news. Notably, Jensen offers her take on what book banners might target in 2023, which includes book award committees and other notable "best of" book lists. "In many libraries, those are automatic purchases for the collection given they have been deemed of important literary merit or they fulfill a need that can be hard to find," Jensen points out.
Via NPR, author George M. Johnson offers the latest in a series of interviews and essays by authors whose books are being challenged and banned across the country. "Now, on one hand, the bans in many ways have had a reverse effect as many who never knew my book existed were able to find it. Many who didn't know that there was a story for them in this world now share my story and are empowered to live their lives in their full truth and power," Johnson writes. "However, it has also forced many young adults to see the ugliest side of this country. The racist, homophobic side that continues to dehumanize LGBTQ people, specifically Black LGBTQ people."
Chalkbeat reports on a new study showing that book challenges in local school districts are having a “chilling effect” on future library acquisitions. "Schools in districts that saw book challenges in the 2021-22 school year were 55% less likely to have a title from a list of recently published LGBTQ books, according to the study, which analyzed the availability of hundreds of titles in over 6,600 public school libraries," reports Julian Shen-Berro.
With state legislatures back in session comes more news of bills that threaten the freedom to read:
Inforum reports on two new bills in North Dakota that would make it a crime for libraries to offer what state officials deem sexually explicit books. "Senate bill 2123 and House bill 1205 would make it a Class B misdemeanor for any business establishment where minors can go to offer books with images showing nudity or partial nudity," the report notes. This includes libraries. Kerrianne Boetcher, president of North Dakota Library Association, told reporters the bills were a "a blatant attempt to censor materials."
In Virginia, The Virginia Mercury reports on a bill up for debate during the 2023 session that would require local school boards to "develop policies for handling controversial instructional material" and would require "parental permission before any student could check out a book involving sexual content." In a blow to Governor Glenn Youngkin, who made such issues a centerpiece of his campaign, a senate committee voted the measure down by a narrow 8-7 margin.
In Nebraska, the Lincoln Journal Star reports on a new bill that would bar teachers from "discussing" the idea that “individuals, by virtue of their race, ethnicity, color, or national origin, bear collective guilt and are inherently responsible for actions committed in the past." The bill would require school districts to "develop and adopt policies outlining how parents can inspect curriculum materials in an online portal and object to any learning materials they believe harm their 'firmly held beliefs, values, or principles,' and withdraw their children from those classes or activities."
Indianapolis-based WRTV.com reports on the The Black Caucus of the American Library Association decision to pull the upcoming National Convention of African American Librarians program from Indianapolis. The move comes after the Indianapolis Library Board declined interim CEO Nichelle Hayes the chance to do the job on a permanent basis. “The actions of the Indianapolis Public Library Board are a reflection of what happens within our profession, where hardworking, talented, and qualified people are used to clean up messes, fix problems, and to just be seen enough that a diversity goal is ticked without any substantive change," reads a statement from the NCAAL conference committee. “Our members deserve better.”
The New York Times reports on a brewing battle between New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the City Council over proposed cuts of $13 million this fiscal year and more than $20 million next year to the city's public libraries. Library leaders say the cuts could force cuts to hours, workforce reductions, and programming at a time when the library is more essential than ever, as the city emerges from the pandemic. But with federal pandemic aid ending, the city is expected to have a deficit of nearly $3 billion next year.
And from Bloomberg Law, a rather optimistic take on the recently enacted (and somewhat controversial) Copyright Claims Board, billed by legislators as a kind of voluntary small claims court for copyright disputes. The report notes that 281 cases were filed from the CCB's launch in June through December 31, most involving visual artists. While the report suggests backers are encouraged by the number of cases filed, it notes that 134 of those cases were dismissed before they ever got to the board (most for filing deficiencies).
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.
