Washington Librarians on the Book Ban Movement and their fight against suppression.

Edmonds, WA-- “If there were a book that was controversial or problematic, they wouldn’t purchase it.” Erica Nicole, the librarian for communications at Washington State University, said, recounting her mother’s experience as a middle school librarian in Montana.

Silent censorship isn’t discussed nearly as much as actual challenges against books. Instead of purchasing certain books, librarians would avoid them altogether to avoid any difficulties and challenges from the public. This, in turn, causes a hole of knowledge in the library. However, librarians within Washington firmly believe that books of all facts, theories, and opinions have a place in libraries. Many libraries strive for a well-rounded knowledge base, whether they personally agree with the book’s content or not.

Lorraine Burdick is a collection development librarian working for Snow-Isle Libraries. Her role entails choosing what books are added to the library’s collection for readers under 12 years old.

Lynnwood Library

“Intellectual freedom means that we allow access to all materials for our customers. So, when I’m purchasing materials, I try to make sure to get materials that cover all different viewpoints.” Burdick said.

“Freedom to read means that our customers have the right to choose to read material that reflects their interests that meets them where they’re at.” Said Jessica Russell, the assistant director of collection services for the Sno-Isle Libraries.

Sno-Isle has staff that will assist readers who are unhappy with what they are reading and will direct them to something more appropriate for them. Readers only need to approach staff at their local library and politely ask for these recommendations.

Libraries across the country follow the “Library Bill of Rights”, which gives librarians a guideline for which books come into their collection and how to interact with the community in different situations. In it, it is stated that, “Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.”

“We have in place a Request of Review or Reconsideration.” Russell said, “If [a costumer] chooses [to fill it out] then the library’s collection and development staff will review the selection process we used to add that material to the library collection.”

The Request of Review or Reconsideration Form is not just for book removal requests, but to ask questions about material within the library. This opens a pathway for those who seek more information about a book, and why it was selected to enter the library’s collection and readers will receive a response from the library staff within thirty days. The material is kept in the collection if it meets the guidelines of Sno-Isle and the Library Bill of Rights. In Sno-Isle Libraries, there has not been a request of removal since 2021.

“It is not part of our policy to remove materials solely based on content,” Russell said.

In 1982, the Supreme Court established that just because someone doesn’t like a book, doesn’t mean it should be removed from a library. Though this law doesn’t stop lawmakers in other states from suppressing material. The Miami New Times reports that more than 350 books have been banned in Florida school districts since July 2022.

“It concerns me that people are not paying attention to law, precedent,” Burdick said. “The state legislatures are not paying attention to that now. It’s troubling that people are not paying attention to legal precedent.”

With great strife comes support for libraries. Communities are speaking out in support of libraries across the United States.

“Right now, I believe that most of the people in our country want people to have access to whatever they want,” Burdick said, “Now there is starting to be movements of people that are against censoring materials, against removing materials. They are noticing that this is a problem and starting to act.”

Terrell Library at WSU

Groups such as The Author’s Guild, Red Wine & Blue, and Freadom have advocated keeping books available for all readers. Red Wine & Blue helps children access books that may be in danger of being removed through their “Banned Bookmobile.” Similarly, the WSU Library holds the “Beyond the Banned Books” event where university students and staff can learn about censorship and what they can do to prevent it.

“Libraries are universally committed to fighting this fight. But like any fight, it takes a toll.” Said Russell.

The public can support their local library by using them. Get a library card, check books out, and use the materials inside. Another option is to write letters of support to their library or, in the case of universities, the library dean. Every voice matters in the defense of intellectual freedom.

Citations

DELUCA, A. (2023, April 25). Report: 350+ Books Banned in Florida School Districts Since Last July. Miami New Times. https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/more-than-350-books-banned-in-florida-schools-since-last-july-16817328

HWANG, H. (2019). Terrell Library. Daily Evergreen. Retrieved June 29, 2023, from https://dailyevergreen.com/30532/news/new-library-funding-saves-academic-journals/

Lynnwood Library. (n.d.). Sno-Isle Libraries. Retrieved June 29, 2023, from https://www.sno-isle.org/locations/18/