Our names are Samantha and Geniece, and our Censorship in
the Library blog is a project for our a masters program in Information
Services and Library Science. We are exploring people's view on
censorship and how libraries deal with censorship issues.
To kick off our blog, we are posting the Library Bill of Rights from the American Library Association website.
What do you think? Does it say enough? Not enough? Do you agree with the statements? Does it protect against censorship?
The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.
I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
VI. Libraries that make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.
Adopted June 19, 1939, by the ALA Council; amended October 14, 1944; June 18, 1948; February 2, 1961; June 27, 1967; January 23, 1980; inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996.
The Bill of Rights is extremely vague and leaves the door open for inclusion of all types of materials. If a person is "interested" in pornography then according to the Bill of Rights, it should be included in the materials provided. However, the opinions on what constitutes pornography can be very different on the spectrum. What some people might consider a literary work of art, others may view as pornographic or adult in nature and not suitable for "all audiences". This is a very difficult and GRAY area and one could argue continuously on their views of what materials should and should not be provided at the library. Where do you draw the line on censorship??
ReplyDeleteI believe that adult books should be kept away from children and that pornography can be included in the adult section. Although I know there should be a limit to the type of pornography this issue is definitely a grey area that has to be explored carefully. I don't think patrons of the library should influence what is included on the shelves of our libraries.
ReplyDeleteI think this Bill of Rights includes some solid principles to guide libraries in their decision-making when it comes to collection development. It's important that we agree as a profession "Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation" and "Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval." We play a significant role in making information available - including multiple perspectives and even conflicting ideas within our collections.
ReplyDeleteWhere it gets tricky is the idea that we "should provide materials and information presenting all points of view." What about points of view that are factually inaccurate (think Holocaust denial) and how can we possibly include ALL points of view (we have a budget to stick to, after all). The role of a collection development librarian is a tricky one!
With respect, I disagree with the previous opinions.
ReplyDeleteThere is no grey area. A public library exists to reflect the current and historical reality of the public AS IT EXISTS. Not your version of it. Not my version of it. As it actually is.
As funding permits, all viewpoints should be allowed. Someone writes a book denying the Holocaust? Fine. Put it right up on the shelf with DIARY OF ANNE FRANK and SCHINDLER'S LIST. Because those other opinions, as lacking in fact as they may be, still exist.
Present all viewpoints or none. Let the public decide for themselves.
Free and open to all. And absolutely no censorship.
If anyone is worried about their children accidentally stumbling upon a book that dares to revel in the enjoyment of a human activity as natural as sex, then take your kids to Barnes & Noble.
To declare "This is the adult section" only opens the door to "What's adult? DH Lawrence? Henry Miller?"
A public library has no business answering those questions. There is no grey area. An honest, free, and open access to society as it exists, warts and all.
It is important to remember that there is a difference between selection and censorship. When libraries make decisions on items to add to there collection based on space, funding, need, or patron requests, that is not censorship. That is making a decision based on the realities of public libraries. Censorship comes into play when a decision is made based on personal feelings or ideals. Librarians must always keep in mind that they are an institution protecting access to information.
ReplyDeleteWho's opinion do you go by to censor material - reader, tax-payer, employee, where does it start and end. A library is there for the patrons who pay in taxes for the material. If the majority of the patrons in the are conservative - then there would be more conservative material there. It depends on where you are. A college library would have more reference material then novels. A Law library - law books and reference material for that subject matter. A public library is for the public in the area. Suited for those that reside there. I do believe that you should have some material that may seem shocking to some - but that material does help most to form opinions - if we were only subjected to one genre of music our brains would not know what to do with another when introduced.
ReplyDeleteOnce you start trying to cater to the political "majority" of that area -- if indeed such a thing exists -- you have already crossed the line.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe what I'm reading here. No censorship means NO CENSORSHIP.