[Libs-Or] Tuesday Topics: Banned Books Week 2017

Tue Sep 19 07:07:36 PDT 2017

Welcome to Tuesday Topics, a monthly series covering topics with
intellectual freedom implications for libraries of all types. Each message
is sponsored by a member of OLA's Intellectual Freedom Committee
<http://www.olaweb.org/if-home> (IFC). Questions can be directed to the
author of the message or to the IFC chair (ifc.chair at olaweb.org).

Tuesday Topic: Banned Books Week 2017

Do you remember when librarians were the most visible symbol of free
speech, not neo-Nazis with tiki torches?  These times invite us to recommit
ourselves to library values of creating a community where all are welcome
and everyone has the freedom to read.  What a wonderful time to celebrate
Banned Books Week!

Next week (beginning September 24th) is the launch of Banned Books Week
2017, when libraries will join bookstores, schools and others across the
United States in celebrating the freedom to read.  In turbulent times,
standing up for the free access to materials representing diverse voices
and points of view is more important than ever.

[image: Inline image 2]

*Book challenges are rising nationally*

According to the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual
Freedom (OIF), which tracks book challenges and removals nationally, 2016
saw an alarming 17% increase in book censorship complaints.   Additionally,
as reported on the Banned Books Week website
<http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/node/12963>,   half of the most frequently
challenged books were actually banned in 2016, which is much higher than
the usual rate of about 10% of titles being removed from the institution
where they are challenged.   In response, Banned Books Week Chair Charles
Brownstein says, “Our free society depends on the right to access,
evaluate, and voice a wide range of ideas. Book bans chill that right, and
increase division in the communities where they occur. This Banned Books
Week, we’re asking people of all political persuasions to come together and
celebrate Our Right to Read.”

*Most challenged books nationally*

The OIF, which provides an annual list of the *Top Ten Challenged Books*,
recorded 323 challenges in 2016.  Sexuality was the most comment concern,
as is often the case, but this year LBGT and gender identity issues were
especially prominent in the list:

   1. *This One Summer* written by Mariko Tamaki and illustrated by Jillian
   Tamaki
   This young adult graphic novel, winner of both a Printz and a Caldecott
   Honor Award, was restricted, relocated, and banned because it includes LGBT
   characters, drug use, and profanity, and it was considered sexually
   explicit with mature themes.
   2. *Drama* written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier
   Parents, librarians, and administrators banned this Stonewall Honor
   Award-winning graphic novel for young adults because it includes LGBT
   characters, was deemed sexually explicit, and was considered to have an
   offensive political viewpoint.
   3. *George* written by Alex Gino
   Despite winning a Stonewall Award and a Lambda Literary Award,
   administrators removed this children’s novel because it includes a
   transgender child, and the “sexuality was not appropriate at elementary
   levels.”
   4. *I Am Jazz* written by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings, and
   illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas
   This children’s picture book memoir was challenged and removed because
   it portrays a transgender child and because of language, sex education, and
   offensive viewpoints.
   5. *Two Boys Kissing* written by David Levithan
   Included on the National Book Award longlist and designated a Stonewall
   Honor Book, this young adult novel was challenged because its cover has an
   image of two boys kissing, and it was considered to include sexually
   explicit LGBT content.
   6. *Looking for Alaska* written by John Green
   This 2006 Printz Award winner is a young adult novel that was challenged
   and restricted for a sexually explicit scene that may lead a student to
   “sexual experimentation.”
   7. *Big Hard Sex Criminals* written by Matt Fraction and illustrated by
   Chip Zdarsky
   Considered to be sexually explicit by library staff and administrators,
   this compilation of adult comic books by two prolific award-winning artists
   was banned and challenged.
   8. *Make Something Up: Stories You Can’t Unread* written by Chuck
   Palahniuk
   This collection of adult short stories, which received positive reviews
   from Newsweek and the New York Times, was challenged for profanity, sexual
   explicitness, and being “disgusting and all around offensive.”
   9. *Little Bill* (series) written by Bill Cosby and illustrated by
   Varnette P. Honeywood
   This children’s book series was challenged because of criminal sexual
   allegations against the author.
   10. *Eleanor & Park* written by Rainbow Rowell
   One of seven New York Times Notable Children’s Books and a Printz Honor
   recipient, this young adult novel was challenged for offensive language.

   (Source:  http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/NLW-Top10)

LBGT issues have also been at the heart of a few recent high profile book
challenge cases.  A challenge last month by the Illinois Family Institute
to the children’s book “This Day in June” led to a heated board meeting at
a Chicago library: *West Chicago Public Library denies request to remove
gay pride book
<http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-gay-pride-childrens-book-west-chicago-library-met-20170829-story.html>*
.
Meanwhile in Sacramento, a school district had to hire a public relations
firm to help with the fallout over the choice of readings for story time:  *‘A
girl brain but a boy body.’ Kindergarten parents outraged over transgender
book read in class *
<http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article169365057.html>.

<http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article169365057.html>

*Most challenged materials in Oregon *LGBT issues also were the stated
cause for many of the challenges reported in Oregon, according to the *2017
Annual Report On Challenges to Materials in Oregon Libraries July 1,
2016—June 30, 2017*,
<http://www.oregon.gov/osl/LD/projects/OIFC/2017.oifc.annual.report.pdf> as
compiled by the Oregon State Library.  This report documents 20 challenges
to materials from six Oregon public libraries, including challenges to
sound recordings, videos, and a magazine in addition to books.   Included
in these challenges were seven videos with LGBT+ characters featured in the
cover art that a patron removed from a library’s shelves and hid inside the
library.

*Fun with Banned Books *While standing up to censorship is serious work,
Banned Books Week is also a time for creativity and fun!  Check out these
resources to liven up your displays and celebrate with the library
community:

   - Visit the Celebrate the Freedom to Read in Oregon
   <https://www.facebook.com/OregonReadsBannedBooks> Facebook page and
   share your library’s events and photos.
   - Portland residents – raise a glass for free speech at the Uncensored
   Celebration <https://action.aclu.org/uncensored>, an art show benefiting
   the ACLU of Oregon that celebrates free expression and features posters
   designed by local artists.  September 21 at Lagunitas Brewing Company.
   - Display ideas
   <http://www.oregon.gov/osl/LD/projects/OIFC/bbw.displays.pdf> for
   school, public, and academic libraries and bookstores (examples from Oregon
   libraries).
   -  Activity ideas
   <http://www.oregon.gov/osl/LD/projects/OIFC/bbw.activity.ideas.pdf> for
   school, public, and academic libraries and bookstores. (examples from
   Oregon libraries)
   - More program and display ideas
   <http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2012/10/banned-books-week-wrap-up/> (with
   lots of photos!) from ALA's Association for Library Service to Children
   - Promotional tools <http://bannedbooksweek.org/promotional-tools> with
   new graphics to include in displays

*Responding to challenges*

Patrons who raise concerns about materials in library collections are
exercising their 1st Amendment right to petition the government for a
redress of grievances.  Here are some resources from the Oregon
Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse (OIFC) to help prepare for those
situations:

   - Prepare <http://www.oregon.gov/osl/LD/Pages/projects/OIFC/Prepare.aspx> to
   deal with future challenges to materials at your library
   - Address <http://www.oregon.gov/osl/LD/Pages/projects/OIFC/Address.aspx>
current
   challenges to materials at your library
   - Report <http://www.oregon.gov/osl/LD/Pages/projects/OIFC/Report.aspx>
    the intellectual freedom issues at your library to the OIFC

ALA provides a range of archived webinars to prepare for challenges:

   - Before the Mud Flies:  Conversations for Banned Books Week
   <http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/webinar/mud>
   - Angry and Alarmed:  Embracing the Concerned Parent
   <http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/webinar/concernedparents>
   - Developing and Supporting your LGBTQ Collection
   <http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/webinar/booklistlgbt>

*Happy Banned Books Week!*

-- 
Roberta Richards
(pronouns:  she/her/hers)
Faculty Reference Librarian
971-722-4962 <(971)%20722-4962>
rrichard at pcc.edu
Southeast Library Research Desk: 971-722-6289 <(971)%20722-6289>
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