<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large"><font face="Calibri" size="4"><span style="border-collapse:collapse"><b><span class="gmail_default"></span></b></span></font><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/spH1GwmGZQaf0GM08zgw0eKIH_KfkRgr7JyCQRO5V498mT8zEB64QIfGU8Xr1YB9V67XIG9dgOhLANynLWHpDfqB3nx1Esf-lKALGM_IbCNPVJl8WapWjrmLtMthRPQR6w0oIjpIcPUtxCPXK3QuPbFrvylKqMpnwDPtWCSOi6hrfewxTJGGB0uyYvygM-rD64LHHGowVA" width="266" height="106" style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(5,99,193);font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;white-space:pre-wrap;text-align:center;margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px"></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;white-space:pre-wrap;text-align:center">November 2022</span><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large"><i><span id="m_1385431807374466184gmail-docs-internal-guid-790f4abe-7fff-ef93-54a0-69da1ba70117"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Welcome to Tuesday Topics, a monthly series covering topics with intellectual freedom implications for libraries of all types. Each message is prepared by a member of OLA's Intellectual Freedom Committee or a guest writer. Questions can be directed to the author of the topic or to the IFC Committee.</span></span>  </i><span style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;white-space:pre-wrap;text-align:center"><br></span></div><div><div dir="ltr" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><span id="m_1385431807374466184gmail-docs-internal-guid-4bc7014b-7fff-d50b-4fdf-43ee43e2e8e8"><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Bias and Librarian Censorship</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">It is probably not news to those of us in the library world that we are experiencing unprecedented challenges to the freedom to read. School libraries are being especially hard hit with external and, unfortunately, internal threats and actions against library materials, displays and programs. While we often stand together against those external forces it is important that we pay attention to how this is affecting our own choices and actions as librarians and library workers. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Librarians have the skills, education and experience to determine what is right for our collections and should endeavor to base our selections on strong collection policies, professional research and knowing our communities and their wants and needs.  But bias can inevitably interfere with this process. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">There are a lot of good resources out there to help us learn about, examine and overcome bias. Here are a few to start with:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><a href="https://opb.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/pov-biased-lpclips/who-me-biased/" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">OPB: Who me biased?</span></a><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> | </span><a href="http://www.ala.org/acrl/publications/keeping_up_with/bias" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">ALA: Keeping up with...Implicit Bias</span></a><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> | </span><a href="https://yourbias.is/" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Yourbias.is</span></a><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> | </span><a href="https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Harvard Project Implicit</span></a></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Those resources can help us with our implicit or unconscious biases. But what about explicit bias? Some library or administration professionals may feel empowered in the current landscape to practice these biases. Additionally, (valid) fears about the consequences of our selections can be an unfortunate driving factor. Library workers across the country have lost their jobs or been subjected to threats of violence because of their adherence to providing a good well-rounded collection. This may even lead some library professionals to purposely avoid adding titles, subjects and themes to their collections to avoid negative reactions and outcomes. </span><a href="https://www.slj.com/story/censorship-attempts-will-have-a-long-lasting-impact-on-school-library-collections-slj-survey-shows" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">This recent School Library Journal article </span></a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> dives into the impacts all of this may have on future collections and students. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Solving these issues is not easy. A strong selection policy as well as policies for review are a great start. Remember to include processes for external and internal challenges. Clear internal documentation and communication about these policies (including training for stakeholders) is helpful for everyone involved. Using support tools available from the </span><a href="https://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/oif" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom</span></a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> can be helpful.</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> And remember that the OLA Intellectual Freedom Committee is here to help and support you!</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> We can help with tools and resources, advice, connections to helpful allies and organizations and to generally support and back you up (this can be done anonymously). </span><a href="https://www.olaweb.org/intellectual-freedom-committee-home" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Learn more about us here</span></a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> and </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(60,64,67);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">find additional resources to deal with challenges and develop robust policies at the </span><a href="https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/iftoolkit/home" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Intellectual Freedom Committee's toolkit page</span></a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">.</span></p></span><span class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large"></span><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large">Lori - on behalf of the OLA Intellectual Freedom Committee</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large"></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large">Lori Moore</div><div dir="ltr"><font face="Calibri" size="4"><span style="border-collapse:collapse"><b><span class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large"></span></b></span></font><div><font face="Calibri" size="4"><b>Workforce Development Librarian</b></font></div><div><font face="Calibri" size="4"><span style="border-collapse:collapse">Multnomah County Library </span></font></div><div><font face="Calibri" size="4"><span style="border-collapse:collapse">My schedule: Sunday - Thursday</span></font></div><div><font face="Calibri" size="4">971-271-1722</font></div><div><font size="4"><a href="http://www.multcolib.org" style="font-family:Calibri" target="_blank">multcolib.org</a><br></font></div><div><font size="4">My pronouns are she/her/hers</font></div><div><font face="Calibri"><span style="border-collapse:collapse"><b><img src="https://multcolib.org/sites/default/files/MultCoLib_2LineLogo_RGBemail_sig2.png"><img src="https://multco.us/sites/default/files/styles/small/public/InclusiveSign_email-signature_FINAL.jpeg?itok=D8MA9Y9G" width="200" height="125"><br></b></span></font></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>