H.R. 2616, another tool for censorship

Among worrying legislation at the federal level, H.R. 2616 recently passed in the U.S. House of Representatives. It’s troubling enough that, under certain circumstances, schools would be forced to “out” trans students to their parents, but I’m concerned about Section 3’s prohibition against “teaching or advancing gender ideology.”

Don’t comply with censorship in advance

In his recently published short book of essays, Mac Barnett emphasized the importance of children finding their experiences and emotions reflected in the stories they read. His observation was made against a backdrop of ever-increasing attempts to remove books from libraries that disproportionately target books by authors of color and authors who are LGBTQIA+.

H.R. 7661: Truly disturbing and frightening!

As a follow-up to the essay I posted earlier, here is a brief video I uploaded today about H.R. 7661. Introduced in late February by U.S. Rep. Mary E. Miller, H.R. 7661 defines “sexually oriented material” to include any material that involves “gender dysphoria or transgenderism.”

Federal bill equates trans identity with sexually explicit material

One of the core tenets that I embrace as a librarian serving young people is that readers need stories about people who are both like and who are unlike them. A diverse library collection should ideally encompass many facets: including race, sex, gender identity, differing abilities, who a person is attracted to, and more.

Same Page, by Elly Swartz

This book raises a lot of valuable points about the importance of offering diverse books that can serve a diverse readership.

One example is when Bess’s friend June dismissed the removal of books from the vending machine. June proposed a list of replacement books, and Bess pointed out the books June was proposing weren’t the same kinds of books as the books that were removed from the vending machine.

June asked Bess, “Why do you even care so much? I mean, most of the books that were pulled aren’t even about kids like us.”

Morale-boosting reminder : ‘All library staff’ were ‘Librarian of the Year’ in 2022

Library workers faced multiple challenges in early 2022, and it remains tough for us now. In the interest of boosting our collective morale, here is a reminder that in 2022, Library Journal honored “all library staff” as its Librarian of the Year.

‘Windows and mirrors’ in children’s literature : Issues and challenges

My studies this semester in Children’s and Young Adult Literature included the importance of books that can offer their readers “mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors” (Bishop, 1990/2015) into the lives of people who are like, and also unlike, them. “Literature transforms human experience and reflects it back to us, and in that reflection we can see our lives and experiences as part of the larger human experience” (Bishop, 1990/2015, p. 1).

Is censorship a ‘necessary evil’?

As part of my studies on the subjects of banned books and censorship, I was asked to consider whether or not censorship was a “necessary evil” in a library or classroom. In answering this question, I think we need to differentiate between selecting materials based on professional standards, and purposefully choosing not to purchase a book because we’re afraid of backlash.

Preemptive challenges in libraries

Librarians are under siege right now, in a way that is unprecedented. 2022 was already a year that shattered censorship records, but data released recently by the American Library Association showed that, during 2023, book bans continued to rise, nationwide (Unite Against Book Bans, 2023).

Books (and libraries) are for everyone!

To commemorate Banned Books Week in 2023: Books and libraries are for everyone, but not every book will appeal to every reader, nor should anyone expect it to. People can decide for themselves which books they want to read, and parents can decide for their own children, which books are appropriate – but they don’t get to make that decision for everyone else’s children too.

Book challenges continue to increase during 2023

Banned Books Week takes place in 2023 from Oct. 1 to 7, and the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom has released preliminary data for challenges to books during 2023.

Template to warn school boards about censorship attempts

“Most school boards are not paying attention to what is happening at other school boards across the country,” and this inattentiveness is allowing slow takeovers by groups “working to destroy public education across the country.” In the Sept. 1 edition of Literary Activism (a publication of Book Riot), writer Kelly Jensen offers a template to alert school boards to “bad” or “crisis actors” in their communities. Groups resisting censorship “have a tremendous opportunity” to give board members a “fair warning of what’s happening,” while getting their names into the public record to aid networking with like-minded individuals. https://literaryactivism.substack.com/p/how-to-alert-your-school-board-to

Netflix drama ‘Heartstopper’ affirms importance of libraries

At The Mary Sue, D.R. Medlen discusses Isaac, a character on the Netflix drama “Heartstopper,” as Isaac explores his identity. “As a bookworm, it’s only natural that when Isaac is at a loss, he heads to his school library for answers. But what if Isaac had no library to go to? What would this shy, bookish kid do if he had questions that he couldn’t ask anyone else?”

Author urging supporters to book library meeting rooms

At Book Riot, writer Kelly Jensen is warning public libraries: author Kirk Cameron and publisher Brave Books are asking supporters to book space at public libraries to hold readings from children’s “books of virtue” across the country on Aug. 5.

LGBTQIA+ books for Pride Month

For Pride Month (June 2023), here is a “book-haul” video featuring two books for children and three for adults or teenagers. In this video, I also share my thoughts about the spate of book bans targeting books that center LGBTQIA+ experiences. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel if you are enjoying my videos.

Soul Matters : My ‘Resistance’ must oppose book censorship

As part of a “Soul Matters Sharing Circle” through my church, I receive a monthly packet to facilitate reflections around the theme for the month. Something that especially resonated for me with this month’s theme of “Resistance” actually came via my American Library Association membership.

Iowa legislation would put challenged books on state-wide ‘removal list’

Under legislation being proposed in Iowa, a book removed from a classroom or library in any Iowa school district would be placed on a state “removal list,” and “all of Iowa’s 326 other districts” would also have to deny students access to the book, unless parents give approval. Via the Gazette: Meet an Iowa City librarian fighting to protect readers’ ability to choose books for themselves.
https://www.thegazette.com/k/iowa-city-librarian-fighting-for-a-place-even-for-books-that-hurt-my-feelings/

Soul Matters : It takes ‘Vulnerability’ to be autistic and queer librarian

Through my local Unitarian Universalist church, I am part of a “Soul Matters Sharing Circle.” The Soul Matters program facilitates “A journey that the whole church takes together” (n.d.), through messages from the pulpit and during Religious Education as well as through small-group discussion. This month’s theme is “Vulnerability.”

Equity of access : Core value of modern libraries

Among the Core Values of Librarianship (American Library Association, 2019), one that resonates strongly with me is equity of “Access” to libraries and their collections, as well as the related “equity” of being able to participate in the library workforce.

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).