This week’s blog topic comes from an article that is a little dated, it was published in February, but I thought the topic was of interest. Writer Debra Lau Whelon wrote an article for School Library Journal title “A Dirty Little Secret: Self Censorship”. This article talks about how librarians have been caught censoring books themselves from fear of complaints or a book challenge. They have either not ordered the book or put it in the adult collection or another special area to keep it from children or to make it stand out. The article stated :
“Self-censorship. It’s a dirty secret that no one in the profession wants to talk about or admit practicing. Yet everyone knows some librarians bypass good books—those with literary merit or that fill a need in their collections. The reasons range from a book’s sexual content and gay themes to its language and violence—and it happens in more public and K–12 libraries than you think.”
Another surprising quote from the story says that ALA only predicts that one our of five cases of challenged books or materials are being reported. It says when it comes to self-censorship it is almost impossible to quantify because no one is monitoring or collecting stats and there’s no open discussion on the subject.
“In a way, self-censorship is more frightening than outright banning and removal of challenged material,” says author and former librarian Susan Patron, because these incidents tend to “slip under the radar.”
In the article readers will find experiences from well-known authors on how their books have been banned or censored. Judy Blume, Coe Booth, Carolyn Mackler, Lauren Myracle and Barry Lyga all share their stories.
Overall I thought this was a really interesting article and gave great insight into how authors feel about the censorship of their books. It also proved how often this happens which was a surprise to me. My question for you is have you found yourself not ordering a book or placing it in another collection for fear of a complaint or challenge from a patron ?
Here is the link to the article
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6632974.html
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I can't believe this quote:
ReplyDeleteLike when a progressive mom asked that Blume’s Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing (Dutton, 1972) be removed from her daughter’s class because it included a scene with a dead turtle. “She said, 'Don’t you know that reptiles have feelings, and reptiles feel fear?’” Blume recalls.
it seems that whatever book a librarian could buy could bring some sort of controversy and someone wanting it to be removed. I can see how people would be afraid to have the controversial books in the library especially after the librarian had received a challenge in the past. The adminstrators or library director may look at them and go what is wrong with you? Why are you ordering all these controversial books.
We always tell parents if you are worried about a book and what your child is reading than read it first.
I don't know how many times I have said this in this class I think I may need to make bumper stickers-You can't please everyone, someone will always be angry.
Hey Jen,
ReplyDeleteGreat and interesting posting, I personally feel self-censorship is dangerous/harmful to a library's collection. In order for a collection to meet the need of its library users, librarians need to select materials that comply with their collection development policy. I feel librarians who indulge in self-censorship need to be aware of their collection development and what this type of behavior/censorship can do to the collection. I feel this type of behavior limits many useful resources that should be accessible to library patrons. This article brings me back to a message that I posted in a discussion group. This message involves a check-list that libraries should use or abide by when selecting library materials.
Check it out -- it's quite interesting
Check-out the checklist below
(http://www.nyla.org/index.php?page_id=444)
Self-Censorship Checklist
Has your library ever...
Not purchased material because a review or publisher's catalog indicated that it was for "mature readers," had explicit language or illustrations, or might be controversial?
___ yes ___ no
Not purchased a popular book because it might be unpopular with parents or pressure groups in the community?
___ yes ___ no
Not purchased material because of the origin, background or views of the author?
___ yes ___ no
Not purchased sex instruction materials from a conservative religious point of view because a staff member found them to be personally offensive?
___ yes ___ no
Not purchased magazines, videos, rock or rap music, or books because "they are so popular they might be stolen?"
___ yes ___ no
Not purchased material concerning minorities because "no one in our community is like that?"
___ yes ___ no
Not purchased a popular recording because of controversial lyrics or cover art?
___ yes ___ no
Purchased a potentially controversial book, but put it in the Adult collection rather than the Young Adult collection for which it was intended?
___ yes ___ no
Reviewed a potentially controversial item and recommended that it not be purchased because of lack of literary merit, even though other non-controversial materials in the collection also lacked literary merit?
___ yes ___ no
Checked a magazine for potentially controversial content, language, or illustrations, and then restricted access or removed it from the collection?
___ yes ___ no
Labeled controversial materials in order to "warn" or prejudice possible users?
___ yes ___ no
Restricted children's use of certain sections of the library (e.g., adult reading room), types of materials (e.g., videos), or services (e.g., interlibrary loan)?
___ yes ___ no
Placed potentially controversial materials in restricted areas so that patrons are required to request them?
___ yes ___ no
Denied library use to someone because of his or her age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, political, or religious views?
___ yes ___ no
Set policies based on video or music producers' ratings to restrict access even though local ordinances don't prohibit use by minors?
___ yes ___ no
Responded to a challenge and removed objectionable material without going through a formal reconsideration of materials process?
___ yes ___ no
Cooperated in violating the right to privacy of your users by providing unauthorized access to their library records?
___ yes ___ no
Prohibited use of your meeting room or bulletin board to groups whose views you disagreed with?
___ yes ___ no
If you answered yes to any of these questions, it's time to review your intellectual freedom practices!