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Libraries and Politics
Right here’s a full have a look at how libraries fared within the 2024 election, and right here’s a deep dive into what a second Trump time period may imply for libraries. EveryLibrary says that libraries are going to be dealing with extra uncertainty than ever, however you don’t want a political science diploma to know that.
Library Journal requested a number of key library leaders for their very own post-election insights, which is unquestionably value a learn. In the meantime, the state of Florida is making an attempt to get a federal e-book banning lawsuit dismissed and is arguing as soon as once more that e-book bans must be thought of “government speech” and, subsequently, exempt from First Modification protections. Michigan, in the meantime has launched two Home payments that might make it tougher to ban books in public libraries, in order that’s a doubtlessly optimistic replace.
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I additionally wish to spotlight Kelly Jensen’s most up-to-date article about literary activism, which focuses on the ways in which libraries can put together themselves earlier than January. The entire strategies are wonderful factors, but it surely’s additionally a reminder to me that as I settle into my position as a division supervisor at a brand new library, I must be sure that I’m shortly familiarizing myself with my library’s insurance policies in order that I can assist my employees and convey inquiries to the administration staff in a well timed style.
Award Information
It’s award season within the publishing business, however a few current award ceremonies drew political backlash. Anne Michaels gained the 2024 Giller Prize for Held, however the ceremony was picketed by a bunch of 35-40 protestors who have been upset over the Giller Prize’s continued affiliation with sponsors which have ties to Israel’s navy. In the meantime, Richard Flanagan’s Query 7 gained the Baillie Gifford Prize for Nonfiction, however he turned down the prize cash “until the fund manager shares a plan to reduce its investment in fossil fuel extraction and increase investments in renewables.”
Censorship Updates
The Texas State Board of Schooling says it desires extra management over public faculty library books. Yeah, that’s going to be a “No” from me, dawg.
Florida schooling officers report lots of of books have been pulled from faculty libraries.
The Warren County Library Fee (NJ) motioned of their final assembly for library employees to make use of BookLooks as a useful resource for buying supplies. This op-ed explains precisely why it is a horrible concept.
The Samuels Public Library (VA) continues to battle native management, as some county supervisors have proposed making a newly appointed library board to supervise every day operations and preserve the finances.
Two York County (SC) library trustees have resigned, each of whom have been anti-censorship allies. Just one trustee stays with greater than 1.5 years of expertise on the board, and “‘Board members who did not complete their annual performance appraisal on (the library director), indicating they did not know enough…now take a majority point and demand telling her how the library will be run,’” Robinson wrote in his resignation letter. “‘This is totally unfair, unacceptable.’”
I’m paywalled from this story, however the headline is attention-grabbing by itself: “Crawford County Quorum Court [AR] and library spar as book spat legal bills near $500,000.” I’m additionally paywalled from this associated story, however once more, the gist is fairly clear: “Plaintiffs who won a First Amendment lawsuit against Crawford County and its library system over LGBTQ-themed books have reiterated their insistence that the county be prevented from taking money for legal fees from the library budget.”
Rutherford County (TN) faces heated debate over e-book bans in faculties as 150 extra titles are pulled from the college libraries.
“A list of almost 400 banned books from another Tennessee county was recently sent by the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System for use by school librarians, raising concerns about whether CMCSS was mandating the same banned list. But CMCSS says it’s only a resource.” So mainly, the college is simply strongly encouraging the librarians to make use of this checklist as a e-book banning useful resource. What are the skilled and authorized implications for librarians who don’t make use of the checklist?