Public libraries and democracy

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “democracy” as “government by the people, especially: rule of the majority” (2023). In my reading this week for LIS 5804, McCook and Bossaller describe the public library as “democracy’s hope.” They tell us that “The narrative linking democracy and public libraries has been a consistent theme (with many variations) that can be seen in professional statements, landmark decisions, and library literature (2018, p. 2).

One example of a narrative linking libraries and democracy can be found in the American Library Association’s Declaration for the Right to Libraries (2013), which states that “The economic health and successful governance of our nation depend on people who are literate and informed.”

When communities began establishing tax-supported public libraries, the idea was that libraries would produce the “informed individuals” who would vote in a functioning democracy. Our instructor highlights this role in her video lecture and slides: “Democracies are built on the ability of citizens to educate themselves and make informed decisions” (Kammer, n.d., slide 3).

McCook and Bossaller cite an observation by Koehler circa 2015: “For a political system to function effectively, it is assumed that the electorate, however established, must be sufficiently knowledgeable to make informed and intelligent decisions” (2018, p. 2).

Rubin and Rubin state that “Although the mission of public libraries avoids political partisanship, libraries are political entities and their mission is inherently political” (2020, p. 81).

Some examples of “political” activities engaged in by public libraries include encouraging people to vote, assisting in voter registration, providing programs and information about issues on which voters will decide, and allowing politicians to hold meetings at the library (ibid).

In their discussion of public libraries, the Rubins identify a pitfall to public libraries’ promotion of civic engagement, that it could “negatively affect the perception of the library as a politically neutral institution” (p. 95). They add, “The real underlying fear is that such a perception could also negatively affect public funding for the library” (ibid).

This observation by the Rubins from two years ago seems especially prescient when considering recent headlines: of communities voting to defund libraries to punish them for carrying books that center LGBTQAI+ perspectives.

Tracking the November election results as they pertained to libraries, EveryLibrary executive director John Chrastka observed that “at least two libraries were ‘defunded’ following ‘significant censorship and book ban campaigns,’ and now face significant cuts or possible closure” (Albanese, 2022).

Chrastka warned that “The effort to tie library funding to censorship efforts is likely just beginning in our country” (ibid).

EveryLibrary (2022) also draws attention to a legislative movement that would criminalize “normal practices” of education and librarianship related to information about sexuality: including legislation that passed in 2021-2022, in Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee; and attempts that failed during 2021-2022 in Idaho, Indiana, and Iowa.

Looking ahead to the legislative session of 2023-2024, EveryLibrary anticipated “that many legislators whose bills failed the last session will reintroduce language in this session and anti-access activists will be inspired to sponsor their own regressive initiatives” (2023).

References:
Albanese, A. (2022, Nov. 11). Concerns linger for libraries after mixed election results. Industry news: Libraries. Publishers Weekly. https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/libraries/article/90919-concerns-linger-for-libraries-after-mixed-election-results.html

American Library Association. (2013). Declaration for the Right to Libraries. In K. McCook’s and J.S. Bossaller’s Introduction to public librarianship [3rd ed.], Neal-Schuman.

EveryLibrary. (2022, Sept. 14). Review of state laws that would criminalize librarianship 2021-22. News and updates. https://www.everylibrary.org/review_state_laws_criminalize_librarianship_2022

EveryLibrary. (2023, Jan. 15). New policy brief about state obscenity laws targeting libraries and education. News. https://www.everylibraryinstitute.org/new_policy_brief_state_obscenity_laws_libraries_ed_2023

Kammer, J. (n.d.) Democracy and the public library [Slide presentation]. University of Central Missouri, LIS 5804.

McCook, K. & Bossaller, J.S. (2018). Introduction to public librarianship (3rd ed.) Neal-Schuman.

Merriam-Webster. (2023, Jan. 17). Democracy: Definition and meaning. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/democracy

Rubin, R. and Rubin R. (2020). Foundations of library and information science (5th ed.) ALA Neal-Schuman.