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American Library Association Condemns Broad Censorship of Books on Race and LGBTQ in Schools and Libraries

December 1, 2021 | FlaglerLive | 4 Comments

As in the rest of the country, the books targeted for bans by Flagler County School Board member Jill Woolbright are by or about marginalized people. (© FlaglerLive)
As in the rest of the country, the books targeted for bans by Flagler County School Board member Jill Woolbright are by or about marginalized people. A student-led demonstration in defense of the books preceded a school board meeting last month. (© FlaglerLive)

Library books in Flagler County schools have been challenged by a school board member–Jill Woolbright–who, in an unprecedented move unseen elsewhere but reflective of a variety of intimidation tactics now  embraced by censors, also filed a frivolous criminal complaint against the school superintendent. A district committee–which met today–will convey its findings and recommendations about the four challenged books  likely by the end of the week. 




Due to a dramatic uptick in book challenges and outright removal of books from libraries, the American Library Association’s Executive Board and the Boards of Directors for all of ALA’s eight divisions have released the following joint statement regarding attempts to remove materials that focus on LGBTQIA+ issues and books by Black authors or that document the Black experience or the experiences of other BIPOC individuals.

In recent months, a few organizations have advanced the proposition that the voices of the marginalized have no place on library shelves. To this end they have launched campaigns demanding the censorship of books and resources that mirror the lives of those who are gay, queer, or transgender, or that tell the stories of persons who are Black, Indigenous or persons of color.

Falsely claiming that these works are subversive, immoral, or worse, these groups induce elected and non-elected officials to abandon constitutional principles, ignore the rule of law, and disregard individual rights to promote government censorship of library collections. Some of these groups even resort to intimidation and threats to achieve their ends, targeting the safety and livelihoods of library workers, educators, and board members who have dedicated themselves to public service, to informing our communities, and educating our youth.

ALA strongly condemns these acts of censorship and intimidation.




We are committed to defending the constitutional rights of all individuals, of all ages, to use the resources and services of libraries. We champion and defend the freedom to speak, the freedom to publish, and the freedom to read, as promised by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.

We stand opposed to censorship and any effort to coerce belief, suppress opinion, or punish those whose expression does not conform to what is deemed to be orthodox in history, politics, or belief. The unfettered exchange of ideas is essential to the preservation of a free and democratic society.

Libraries manifest the promises of the First Amendment by making available the widest possible range of viewpoints, opinions, and ideas, so that every person has the opportunity to freely read and consider information and ideas regardless of their content or the viewpoint of the author. This requires the professional expertise of librarians who work in partnership with their communities to curate collections that serve the information needs of all their users.

In 1953, when confronted with comparable threats to our democratic values, the American Library Association issued the Freedom to Read Statement, a declaration in support of freedom to think or believe as one chooses, the freedom to express one’s thoughts and beliefs without fear or retaliation, and the right to access information without restriction. ALA’s Executive Board, staff, and member leaders reaffirm not only the principles of the Freedom to Read statement but also the daily practices that ensure it continues to inform the profession and that library workers and library trustees have the training, information, tools, and support they need to celebrate and defend their communities’ right to read and to learn.




With the freedom to read under threat, the ALA, including its Executive Board, Divisions, Roundtables, and other units stand firmly with our members, the entire library community, allied organizations, and all those across this country who choose to exercise their own right to read and access information freely, and we call on others to do the same.

American Library Association Executive Board
American Association of School Librarians Board of Directors
Association of College and Research Libraries Board of Directors
Association for Library Service to Children Board of Directors
Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures Board of Directors
Public Library Association Board of Directors
Reference and User Services Association Board of Directors
Young Adult Library Services Association Board of Directors
United for Libraries Board of Directors

The American Library Association’s (ALA) Office of Intellectual Freedom (OIF) is actively involved in providing confidential legal guidance and strategic support to libraries and library professionals in communities across the country impacted by the recent surge in book challenges. From June 1, 2021, to September 30, 2021, OIF has tracked 155 unique censorship incidents, and provided direct support and consultation in 120 of those cases. “We’re seeing an unprecedented volume of challenges in the fall of 2021,” says Deborah Caldwell-Stone, OIF’s Director. “In my twenty years with ALA, I  can’t recall a time when we had multiple challenges coming in on a daily basis.”

Established December 1, 1967, the Office for Intellectual Freedom is the premier advocate for the First Amendment right to read in libraries.

OIF and ALA divisions and offices provide tools and resources for libraries, including challenge support; consulting and training; and awareness campaigns like Banned Books Week and the annual Top 10 Most Challenged Books list.  Other support for library workers facing book challenges include the LeRoy C. Merritt Humanitarian Fund, devoted to the support, maintenance, and welfare of librarians whose employment is threatened  because of discrimination or because of their defense of intellectual freedom. A clearinghouse of resources is available on ALA’s Fight Censorship page. Inquiries and reports regarding intellectual freedom: OIF@ala.org

Click On:


  • 70 People Turn Up, Hoping for Appointment to District’s Book-Banning Committees
  • State Panel Developing Guidelines on Book Bans for School Librarians May Be at an Impasse
  • In Flagler Schools, New Regime of Book Challenges Is Laborious, Subjective and Fraught With Uncertainties
  • Flagler Schools Have Been Quietly Banning or ‘Removing’ Many Books Since Summer in Bow to ‘Moms for Liberty’
  • American Library Association Condemns Broad Censorship of Books on Race and LGBTQ in Schools and Libraries
  • Flagler School Libraries Face Chilling Dangers Beyond Book Bans
  • On Book Bans, ‘Equity’ and the School District’s Duty to Honor Student Diversity: The Students’ Perspective
  • Closing Inquiry, Sheriff Rebuffs Charge of ‘Crime’ in Book Controversy; Woolbright Wants ‘All Young Adult Books Checked’
  • Why All Boys Aren’t Blue Belongs in High School Libraries: A Response to Brian McMillan
  • Student Protesters Face Hail of Vile Obscenities, Taunts and Threats From Group Claiming to Speak For Children
  • Potential Book Ban in Schools Galvanizes 2 Sides in Day of Highs and Lows as Sheriff Recoils at Criminal Complaint
  • Cheryl Massaro Rebukes Fellow School Board Member Woolbright Over ‘Rogue’ Attacks on Books and Superintendent
  • The Live Interview: Author George M. Johnson Speaks to Those Who Want Book Banned From Flagler Schools
  • 2 Flagler School Board Members Object to Black Lives Matter Language and a ‘Hate Group’ Trolls District’s Library Books
  • Help Make Flagler County Known for Progress, Tolerance and Growth Instead of Ignorance and Hate
  • Jill Woolbright Wants 4 Books Banned Over Anti-Racism, LGBTQ, Police Violence and Rape Themes; District Removes Them Pending Review
  • Shapiro: In the End, It’s the Profanity of Censorship Against the Sacredness of Learning
  • Why To Kill a Mockingbird Is a Triumph for Flagler, And Especially for FPC’s Drama Club
  • Citing Vague Fears, School District Suppresses Stage Production of To Kill a Mockingbird
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dennis says

    December 2, 2021 at 5:21 am

    X rated books are next to be introduced into your reading pleasure in the school library.

  2. Pierre Tristam says

    December 2, 2021 at 7:38 am

    “Happy is the one who takes your babies and smashes them against the rocks,” goes the demented line from a famous book in every school library (and every church). We get evidence of ensuing brain damage every day.

  3. Michael Cocchiola says

    December 2, 2021 at 7:56 am

    I would expect that your only choice for a library book would be the bible. Except that’s the most violent and sexually explicit book ever written. Yet, people get past that and absorb the intended messages just like All Boys Aren’t Blue.

  4. Deborah Coffey says

    December 2, 2021 at 2:25 pm

    We must not tolerate the ignorance and hate from the book banners. Hatred is like a daily vitamin for these people; they can’t exist without it. What we CAN do is BAN THEM from every elected office in the country. And, we should do it ASAP!

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