Tuesday, 22 May 2018

Won’t You Think of the Children? (aka Censorship and What I Would do About it)

“A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others.” ("Challenge support," 2017, para. 2)
“Censorship is a change in the access status of material, based on the content of the work and made by a governing authority or its representatives. Such changes include exclusion, restriction, removal, or age/grade level changes.” ("Challenge support," 2017, para. 3)
“Collections and services should not be subject to any form of ideological, political or religious censorship, nor commercial pressures.”(IFLA, 2016, para. 4)
 ALIA (Australian Library and Information Association) does not track the challenges or banning of items, programs, displays etc. in Australian libraries, rather they issue have issued a statement addressing the topic respecting governmental authority and rejecting community input on suitability (Australian Library and Information Association, 2015). My personal opinion is that this is short sited and outdated, honestly, it feels like they are burying their collective head in the sand. The Statement on Free Access to Information is a fantastic ideal but Australia is not a Utopia, challenges are inevitable even if only from books with high profiles and divisive topics (e.g. E.J. James’ Fifty Shades of Grey or Becky Albertolli’s Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda). Australian libraries don’t need hand-holding but they do need guidance from the leading library body in Australia as to what to do when a challenge occurs. The statement is a fine way to say we as an organisation don’t believe you should remove items but ALIA provides no information on their website for how to deal with the challenges, how to talk to someone who wants an item removed or as a minimum reclassified. The ALA (American Library Association) does track such challenges and bans through their Office of Intellectual Freedom (OIF). They also provide guidance to their member and their wider library community in dealing with agitated patrons on this issue.

The Office of Intellectual Freedom estimates that 82-97% of challenges to library materials in America go unreported. In 2017 the top ten most challenged books were all aimed at young adults or children, arguably at raising their empathy or educating them. The OIF tracks more than challenges on books (68% of the reported instances) also looking at challenges to databases magazines, films and games (collectively 18%), programs (7%) and displays (4%). The remaining 4% of the challenges are marked as other ("Top 10 most challenged books of 2017: Resources & graphics," 2018). The annual field report (ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom, 2018a) catalogues some of these instances. While Australia and America are very different culturally it is difficult to believe that Australian library staff don’t face similar opposition to their American counterparts.

Australian public libraries seem content to take ALIA’s lead in abiding by legislative censorship (as in the case of the 2008 Underbelly TV series in Victoria (R v A, 2008)) but not operating community censorship. A brief scan of policy documents for several Australian public libraries shows multiple tactics for phrasing this stance from one line stating the ALIA statement is supported to whole paragraphs explaining the stance (links to documents provided above the reference list). Some provided statements allowing for the removal of items under patron challenge but all supported ALIA’s Statement of Free Access to Information allowing them to overrule any protest.

As ALIA provides little guidance as to what to do in the instance of a challenge I decided to create my own template for what I would do if a book, program, display or other physical item was challenged. This is a guide constructed from multiple sources primarily American sources as they publish their information and is far from complete, it is a mere draft and lacks the structural backbone that organisations policy provides.

While a non-academic source the experiences spoken about by Jason Kucsuma in his TEDx Talk are helpful in a real world sense (TEDx Talks, 2017). TEDx Talks are people speaking about their own personal experiences for those in the social sciences they can be very informative provided you remember they are opinions and personal. Kucsuma is talking about censorship, openness to all and comfort. He talks about the importance of standing behind the principles of the library industry providing access for all and being a welcoming environment. His outlook and the conversation with a patron described at the eight minute mark are useful in the development of a challenge guide.

Challenges and Complaints

From here on I confuse matters. The two sections are written with different intentions and slightly different outcomes. The section on verbal complaints is for an entry level position with no power to remove an item without authority from a higher position.

Whereas written complaints will usually be directed to a senior staff member. Some Australian libraries do have designated staff member such as the Team Leader Collection Management (City of Onkaparinga Libraries, 2009) or the Chief Executive (Eastern Regional Libraries, 2018) whose role it is to deal with complaints to library materials. This section is more why I believe an open dialogue for challenges may be a valuable asset to a library. I have focused on allowing for complaints and what follows.

As I am not employed and living in Australia my guide will be developed with the assumption that the library service will not remove the item except for under extreme circumstances. This is in line with the majority of the collection development policies found and the Statement on Free Access to Information (Australian Library and Information Association, 2015).

For verbal complaints.
The most important thing to remember is to be calm and non-judgemental, neutral. Listen to the patron’s concerns and make no firm statements as to the items fate. Find out exactly what they want to happen. Exclusion from the collection, relocation, labelling or something else (or the corresponding actions for events and displays). And exactly what about the item/ event/ display is causing them distress. Do not try to rush the patron listen to their concern in full. Thank them for their concern and ask them to fill out a written form (see written complaints) or write a letter to the relevant member of the library hierarchy. Eastern Regional Libraries and Onkaparinga Libraries both have designated people to be contacted be aware if your relevant organisation of employment does too.

After they have left the library space or the immediate vicinity write down as much as possible of the incident. Hand this report on to a manager, make them aware that a challenge has been made against an item/event/display. Even if they lack the power to create change it is possible that the patron will come back to check on the status of their challenge and the senior staff member need to be aware of the incident. Once the patron has left the library, return the item to the shelf. This is in line with the ALA’s stance on item status during the challenge process (ALA, 2017, para. 10).

For written challenges.
Australian libraries are unlikely to remove items, to censor them in anyway. If we truly believe ourselves to be educational and community organisations (Koontz & Gubbin, 2010) maybe we are looking at challenges the wrong way. Challenges provide a dialogue opportunity that may have otherwise been missed. Libraries endeavour to cater to all their community members if someone is challenging the existence of an item in the collection maybe it is because they feel an item suiting their worldview has been dismissed. This is of course not a perfect theory, there are some worldviews even neutral libraries try to steer clear of, particularly in the junior area, such as holocaust denial (not illegal in Australia but can be prosecuted as a form of hate speech (Toben v Nationwide News Pty Ltd, 2016)). But people with similar requests may be placated by the addition of books promoting their work view to the relevant collection without the need to remove items. One can hope.

If Australian libraries are to look at welcoming challenges it helps to take a leaf out of the American public library book and create a form for people to complete rather than asking them to write a letter and hope that it provides the relevant information. The ALA provides examples on their website (ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom, 2018b) and due to the nature of the form, most libraries using one do make it available to the public. Just as there is a range of public libraries there is a range of forms (links to some examples above the reference list).

As to not encourage a deluge of challenges, to make it a more thought-provoking process for the modern patron I would create a form requiring it be printed and filled out by hand. Online forms certainly feel easier to make nuisance complaints with.

The sample forms discovered were all fairly similar in the information they were trying to elicit. Details about the item, contact details for the patron, why the item is objectionable, if the patron sees value in the item, did they read/view/listen to the whole item or what parts, what they would like the library to do and some requested a recommendation for a replacement or additional item. If I was to use one I would likely use the ALA option, editing as required to addresses the changing needs.

The request should be taken on its merits and the item measured against the library selection criteria. With the item remaining if it still fits the criteria. I believe this may mean someone needs to read/view/listen to the questioned item in its entirety, something we are all aware libraries don’t do as items are selected. My personal preference for dealing with this form of formal complaint would be for a senior member of the library origination to counsel them, privately, on the value of the item to members of the community. If the person is the spokesperson for a group allow the group to be there, as with oral challenges remain calm and understanding. A hearing is an option if this session is unsuccessful and the patron is dissatisfied with the library decision and explanation.

While this whole feels a little like undoing the work Australia may or may not have done to limit censorship we are a multicultural and diverse community it only makes sense that we allow people to express their displeasure in a helpful manner, so the library can continue its good work as a community and information organisation. After all, how can we expect people to understand why an item is valuable to the community, who the library serves if it is not explained to them.

Library Documents

Australian Policy Documents.


Requests for Reconsideration.


Heading citation: “Won’t you think of the children?” – Helen Lovejoy (Cohen, 1996)

 References
ACT Government Libraries. (2013). Libraries ACT collection policy 2013-16. Retrieved from https://www.library.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/602445/collections-policy.pdf
ALA. (2017). How to respond to challenges and concerns about library resources. In American Library Association. Retrieved May 17, 2018, from http://www.ala.org/tools/challengesupport/respond
ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom. (2018a). American Library Association field report 2017: Banned and challenged books. Retrieved from https://www.alastore.ala.org/content/field-report-2017-download
ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom. (2018b). Sample reconsideration form. In American Library Association. Retrieved May 22, 2018, from http://www.ala.org/tools/challengesupport/selectionpolicytoolkit/sampleforms
Australian Library and Information Association. (2015). Statement on free access to information. In Australian Library and Information Association. Retrieved May 22, 2018, from https://www.alia.org.au/about-alia/policies-standards-and-guidelines/statement-free-access-information
Brisbane City Council Library Services. (2011). Collection development statement. Retrieved from https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/20141218_-_collection_development_statement.pdf
Central Arkansas Library System. (n.d.). Reconsideration of material request form. Retrieved from https://www.cals.org/!userfiles/editor/docs/reconsideration_of_materials.pdf
Challenge support. (2017). In American Library Association. Retrieved May 9, 2018, from http://www.ala.org/tools/challengesupport
Chatfield Public Library. (n.d.). Request for reconsideration of an item form. In Chatfield Public Library. Retrieved May 22, 2018, from https://chatfieldpubliclibrary.org/about-us/policies/reconsideration-policy-and-procedures/request-for-reconsideration-of-an-item-form/
City of Darwin. (2015). Public library service. Retrieved from https://www.darwin.nt.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/attachments/policy_no_044_-_public_libraries_1.pdf
City of Karratha. (2016). Library and local history administation policy. Retrieved from http://karratha.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/uploads/CS20_Libraries_and_Local_History_Policy.pdf
City of Onkaparinga Libraries. (2009). Collection development policy 2009/2010. Retrieved from http://www.onkaparingacity.com/onka/living_here/libraries/about_us/collection_development_policy.jsp
City of Ryde. (2013). Library collection development plan. Retrieved from https://www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/files/assets/public/library/collection-development-plan.pdf
City of Stirling. (2012). Library collection development policy. Retrieved from https://www.stirling.wa.gov.au/Council/Policies-and-local-laws/Policy%20and%20Local%20Laws/Library%20Collection%20Development%20Policy.pdf
Clearwater Public Library System. (n.d.). Citizen's request for reconsideration of library materials. Retrieved from http://www.myclearwaterlibrary.com/home/showdocument?id=1484
Cohen, D. S. (Writer). (1996). Much Apu about nothing [Television series episode]. In J. L. Brooks, M. Groening, J. Josh Weinstein, & B. Oakley (Executive Producer), The Simpsons. United States: 20th Television.
Eastern Regional Libraries. (2018). Collection development policy 2018. Retrieved from https://www.yourlibrary.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Collection-Development-Policy.pdf
Fifty shades of grey (Fifty Shades #1) by E.L. James. (n.d.). In Goodreads. Retrieved May 22, 2018, from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10818853-fifty-shades-of-grey
Fort Bend County Libraries. (n.d.). Request for reconsideration of library materials. Retrieved from http://www.fortbend.lib.tx.us/pdfs/Request%20for%20Reconsideration%20of%20Library%20Materials.pdf
Guidelines for reconsideration committees. (2017). In American Library Association. Retrieved May 17, 2018, from http://www.ala.org/tools/challengesupport/reconsiderationcommittees
IFLA. (2016). IFLA/UNESCO public library manifesto 1994. Retrieved from https://www.ifla.org/publications/iflaunesco-public-library-manifesto-1994
Koontz, C., & Gubbin, B. (Ed.). (2010). IFLA Public Library Service Guidelines [Walter de Gruyter GmbH]. Retrieved from: http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/csuau/detail.action?docID=570584
LINC Tasmania. (n.d.). About our collections. In LINC Tasmania. Retrieved May 22, 2018, from https://www.linc.tas.gov.au/about-us/Pages/about-collections.aspx
Melbourne Library Service. (2016). Collection management policy 2016-19. Retrieved from http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/mls-collection-management-policy.pdf
Mercer County Library System. (n.d.). Patron's request for reconsideration of library materials. Retrieved from https://www.mcl.org/sites/default/files/imceuploads/colldev10.pdf
Mesa Public Library. (n.d.). Request a reconsideration of library materials. In Mesa Public Library. Retrieved May 22, 2018, from http://www.mesalibrary.org/about/library-guidelines/materials-selection/request-a-reconsideration-of-materials
Monroe County Public Library. (2015). Request for reconsideration of library materials. In Monroe County Public Library. Retrieved May 22, 2018, from https://mcpl.info/geninfo/request-reconsideration-library-materials
Oak Park Public Library. (n.d.). Request for title reconsideration. In Oak Public Library. Retrieved May 22, 2018, from http://oppl.org/about/policies/request-title-reconsideration
R v A 2008 73 VSC Retrieved: May 5, 2018 from https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/vic/VSC/2008/73.html
Reedsburg Public Library. (1998). Requests for reconsideration of library materials. In Reedsburg Public Library. Retrieved May 22, 2018, from http://www.reedsburglibrary.org/requests-reconsideration-library-materials
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli. (n.d.). In Goodreads. Retrieved May 22, 2018, from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24926015-simon-vs-the-homo-sapiens-agenda
TEDx Talks. (2017, December 8). Libraries may be the answer to what divides us: Jason Kucsma: TEDxToledo. [YouTube Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dySXX6JWGHw
Toben v Nationwide News Pty Ltd 2016 296 NSWCA Retrieved: May 5, 2018 from http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/sinodisp/au/cases/nsw/NSWCA/2016/296.html
Top 10 most challenged books of 2017: Resources & graphics. (2018). In American Library Association. Retrieved May 9, 2018, from http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/NLW-Top10#State%20of%20America's%20Libraries%20Report

Valley City Barnes County Public Library. (n.d.). Request for reconsideration form. Retrieved from http://vcbclibrary.org/file_download/inline/57088af7-7703-40e9-8a1d-ac05049ba4a2
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