We need help in Newton, MA where the MAYOR is leveraging her power not only to undermine the public library, but to encourage protest against a library photo exhibit about Palestinian history. Muslims and Arabs feel the mayor's email has put a target on their heads and further erased Palestinians as people.
Can you advise me how to leverage librarian advocacy both to oppose the Newton mayor and to support the Newton Free Library? Feel free to contact me personally. This is urgent.
Nora Lester Murad
An excerpt from her email:
Tomorrow, Thursday, May 2, a photography exhibit by artist Skip Schiel that was selected in July 2023 will open for one month in the Newton Free Library Gallery. His exhibit displays photographs taken during 2018 and 2019 of people and landscapes in the West Bank.
When told of this exhibit by Library Director Jill Mercurio, I immediately had deep concerns. I knew that the subject matter and title would be offensive to some residents, especially at this time with conflict in the Middle East and rising antisemitism at home. The title, The Ongoing & Relentless Nakba: The Palestinian Catastrophe of 1948 to Today, for example, will be considered by some as not just one-sided and offensive, but wrong and reprehensible. In addition, this exhibit is troubling in that it occurs during the month of May which is Jewish American Heritage Month, and a month that includes Yom Shoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day and Yom Ha'atzmaut – Israel Independence Day.
I believe this exhibit will be quite hurtful and divisive.
As your Mayor, however, I respect and uphold the Library's principles which are embedded in the Library Bill of Rights, including:
- Having materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues
- Resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas
- Not excluding materials because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation
- Making exhibit spaces available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use
Guided by these principles, I support Library Director Jill Mercurio to allow this exhibit to move forward in accordance with our Library's role in Newton of providing intellectual freedom and freedom of speech. We do not censor. Additionally, this exhibit is also in accordance with the Library's past practices, guidelines for exhibits, and the independent Committee's selection.
I applaud the efforts by the Newton Free Library to be a role model for how a community library can help residents learn about deeply painful and contentious topics. Rather than canceling or postponing this art show, the Library is helping us learn, engage, think critically and converse civilly.
The Library is working to have resources on this complex and emotional issue from a wide range of perspectives for visitors. This includes a program where together the speakers explore their varied and different perspectives, and talks by artists with diverse views. In addition, an art exhibit of daily postcards created by Zeev Engelmayer in the days following October 7 which offers a different perspective will be exhibited simultaneously starting on Friday, May 3.
In this polarized world where people feel unsafe, unheard, disrespected, unseen, and hated, our Library will keep striving to be a neutral place for us to have difficult conversations. We understand that we may continue to disagree but know we will still be a community of neighbors who care for each other.
I believe in open access for expression at Newton's library.
I know that the Library Director and the Board of Library Trustees will take a fresh look at policies and procedures regarding art exhibits.
I am committed to having a safe and comfortable environment for visitors and employees at our Library and unimpeded use of the Library and its resources.
I agree that people have the right to voice opposition and exercise their free speech in a peaceful manner.
I will work with our community to build bridges between us rather than to sow division.
I will keep leading on stopping hate.
Mayor Ruthanne Fuller