I think that's a good point: how do people sound the alarm about issues when they actually do want/need that outside help. The few times that I've experienced that, mostly in the context of chairing Georgia's Intellectual Freeodm Interest Group, we've deferred to the wishes of the person going through the challenge. If they wanted us to write letters of support or have people show up at meetings, we would help publicize that. If all they wanted was someone to listen and to help guide them through the process, we would provide that too.
I think IFRT has a bigger place in having a voice and offering to be boots on the physical and digital ground, and letting people know that this community exists of people who can support in all the ways that are needed could potentially be very helpful. There's over 1,200 members of IFRT, and I think they would be more than willing to help their colleagues with any issues. Figuring out how to make that work on an infrastructure level would be challenging, but it may very well prove worth it.
In my experience, the biggest threat to IF from a censorship point of view has never been the public; it's always been staff. People fear a challenge and the baggage that comes with it, so they make choices that they think will keep them safe, and this disproportionately affects materials for diverse populations of all types. So I think another angle on fighting this battle is staff education and bringing up these conversations so they don't get pushed to the side.
A lot of IF groups are going inactive, with my own stage group teetering there. Partially, I think that this is because pieces of the IF community have not succeeded in proving how IF applies to day-to-day work. When faced with a shortage of resources and increasing community demands, these issues can feel esoteric. So making them feel real and visceral is something that could help. But a lot of it boils down to time and energy: the time to make these plans, the energy to execute them, and the time and energy of the receiving side to engage with them. People don't think they need IF support until a problem happens, and by then, it feels like it's too late to do anything but triage.
I think this is a good conversation to have, especially since most of us don't have strong internal IF networks inside our institutions, so what can we do to have each others backs?
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John Mack Freeman
Branch Manager
Gwinnett County Public Library
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Original Message:
Sent: May 15, 2019 09:35 PM
From: Ann Crewdson
Subject: Challenged comics and graphic novels
Hello everyone,
I appreciate the robust discussion from GNCRT and IFRT. I apologize if I'm working backwards. More responses to come.
Please hear me out about "private challenges." And you are right, John, most libraries are afraid that a challenge to a book can be negative PR, it could affect levies and it could open up more challenges. It's a real business concern. It's the same way with the schools--parents may complain more and teachers may start pulling their own collections--funding could be on the line. Private challenges seem the way to go. This is the pattern most have challenges to books have taken. We tell them, please report to the OIF, the CBLDF, NCAC and all the organizations that promise to uphold intellectual freedom say "No problem. We can handle it." And the organizations do an excellent job!
I am concerned, however, that inevitably this creates a bottle-neck. As "well-meaning" as organizations such as OIF, CBLDF among others are in protecting our right to read, fighting these battles for the rest of us is like holding our hands or assuming there will be a mob (all the time) if word gets out to the public. It's assuming the public can't be trusted. Most of us are intelligent people who are capable of fighting censorship battles alongside of you. Because everything is dealt "privately"--how can reinforcements be called to attend board meetings? How can we write public officials about what challenges to books are happening when we don't know what they are? Some challenges are timely. We need to know when they are happening in real time. We complain the media is a vacuum but if you block media from the beginning, how can they cover the story? After the form has been privately submitted, who are the trusted individuals?
Yes, FOIA allows the public to see everything and that's a good thing. It can help us strategize, prepare and look for patterns for the next banned book challenge. I'm really more concerned about current challenges and finding the source. Some state intellectual freedom groups are being disbanded. Maybe, my question really should be--how can the people help?
Thanks so much for your input!
Ann
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Ann Crewdson, MLIS
Children's Specialist
Issaquah/Sammamish
East Region
King County Library System
P: 425.392.5430
E: crewdson@kcls.org
http://www.kcls.org
Preferred Pronouns: She, Her, and Hers
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Original Message:
Sent: May 15, 2019 04:45 PM
From: John Mack Freeman
Subject: Challenged comics and graphic novels
I would assume that in many states, a truly anonymous challenge wouldn't hold up to scrutiny, at least in public libraries. It's my understanding that public library records are open to examination through sunshine and open disclosure laws, so the identity of the challenger would be able to be found out by someone who truly wanted to know, even if the library kept the name private for most of the time.
Some libraries may be choosing to keep challenges as private as possible because the cost of negative PR could be higher than the potential benefit of having the conversation publicly. Additionally, I know that it's never occurred to some library users that they can challenge library items, so publicity of these events can increase the number of challenges or prompt coordination of people who are motivated to challenge particular item types. The particular response a library has is dependent on their situation, and their advocacy to protect their collections and ensure access may be loud or quiet.
A challenge process is an important part of any library's collection policy. It gives both sides the chance to have an informed discussion about the item in question. It also adds time to the process, allowing emotions to drain so that people can have a steadier discussion about what is going on. Like others have said, most people just want to be heard, and I always try to thank them for their interest, especially if it's related to their family or children, saying that they are doing exactly what we want every family to do: make the right decision for their family. But we're providing access for all sorts of families.
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John Mack Freeman
Branch Manager
Gwinnett County Public Library
Original Message:
Sent: May 10, 2019 09:23 PM
From: Ann Crewdson
Subject: Challenged comics and graphic novels
Hello again. Not too many people have been posting here so I will elaborate and find other access points.
I know challenges happen in private because I've read articles in newspapers and electronic communication that actually say books or comics are retained after a "confidential challenge." DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL is an example of a "confidential challenge"--and I still don't know the context. How often does this happen? IMHO, having confidential challenges run counter to what we're trying to achieve. Private challenges give people on the outside a false sense of security that there are few bans or challenges.
We complain there is a vacuum of media attention. How would the media know unless there is a beat.
Tell me how many challenges are private and when are they private?
Thanks,
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Ann Crewdson
Children's Librarian
Issaquah Library-King County Library System
Original Message:
Sent: May 10, 2019 03:36 PM
From: Ann Crewdson
Subject: Challenged comics and graphic novels
Hello.
I'm sorry for the cross posting but I thought the topic would interest folks in both IFRT and GNCRT. Challenges to comic books or graphic novels haven't received much attention here. And I was wondering, why not?
We know that DRAMA, the graphic novel by Raina Telgemeier continues to be among the top frequently challenged reported to ALA. THIS ONE SUMMER by Tamaki is another one, as well.
I know there are tools we can use from CBLDF, FTRF, NCAC, and FIRST AMENDMENT CENTER. But how, as a community, as round table members, can we stave off the forces of censorship that target comics and graphic novels?
Why are there private challenges? I know that sounds like a ridiculous question but it isn't. If we want people to report more, why do we insist on having challenges resolved in private? What kind of message do we send out to the public with our practice?
Thanks for in advance,
Ann
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--------------------------------------------------------------------
Ann Crewdson, MLIS
Children's Specialist
Issaquah/Sammamish
East Region
King County Library System
P: 425.392.5430
E: crewdson@kcls.org
http://www.kcls.org
Preferred Pronouns: She, Her, and Hers
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