Libraries facing surge in objections and disruptions [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!

• Libraries across the US are facing an increasing number of challenges, objections and disruptions over books and programming deemed objectionable by conservative groups, with much of the targeted material relating to sexual identity or race.
• The challenges have included protests, cancellations of events, harassment of librarians and, in some cases, removal of books.
• The article cites examples of challenges and protests in Massachusetts, including a Drag Story Hour event that was targeted by neo-Nazis who shouted anti-Semitic slurs and flashed the Nazi salute.

Public libraries in the US are under increasing pressure from conservative groups challenging books and programming deemed objectionable, according to a report in The Boston Globe. The trend is illustrated by protests and cancellations of events, harassment of librarians and in some cases, the removal of books. In Massachusetts, for example, objections, challenges and disruptions to books and programming almost quadrupled in 2021 compared to the previous year.

“Challenges are pouring in left and right”

said Andrea Fiorillo

Andrea Fiorillo,head of research and reader services at the Reading Public Library, as well as co-chairwoman of the Massachusetts Library Association’s committee for intellectual freedom and social responsibility. “This is super well-organized.” Protests against Drag Story Hours, for example, have occurred in libraries across the US, including Massachusetts, with accusations of pedophilia and anti-Semitic slurs being hurled at librarians and their supporters.

Many challenges have been directed at books relating to sexual identity and race, with LGBTQ characters and voices, Blacks, Latinos and Native Americans among those targeted. Challenges have also changed in nature, with many now being initiated by outside groups rather than individuals. This has led to concerns that a “playbook” is being used, with some groups even calling for criminal background checks of supervised library presenters.

Despite the challenges, some libraries are standing firm in their commitment to inclusiveness and diversity.

“You may not like it, but that doesn’t mean it’s not going to be worthwhile to somebody else,” said Kathryn Kulpa,

assistant administrator at the Fall River library.

Source: msn.com