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Protecting Citizens from Censorship in Libraries is a Critical Mission.

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Censorship in libraries is familiar to many people around the world, especially if they are students of history. Over the years governments have made banning books a key element of suppression.

A smaller number of citizens, especially in the United States, are aware of the censorship in libraries and the ban on some of the classics of this country’s literature.

Some would be surprised to learn that the book Black Beauty was removed from library circulation in some places, for the reason that it showed cruelty to animals.

At one time, even the great Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson has been the object of censorship efforts.

If a book refers to sex and violence, homosexual relationships or witchcraft, it’s probably been censored, removed from shelves or at least been considered for such action.

Suzanne Fisher Staples wrote an excellent piece about this very subject, in which she reported that efforts to remove specific literature from public libraries and school libraries grew dramatically in the last two decades.

The number of challenges to particular books is in the thousands. Most of the books at the center of controversy are not

“soft porn, racist drek or subversive witchcraft propaganda,”

she found. Many of the challenges were based on passion and religious belief on such subjects as homosexuality, language and life style choices.

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When Does Censorship Occur?

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Publishers can Act as Censors Too

The censorship sometimes occurs before information reaches the library. Publishers increasingly reject manuscripts for the same reasons that individuals challenge books.

A key question that might be asked when censorship in libraries is the issue would be: Is the book accurate and believable when certain subjects and words are not included? This goes to the heart of the matter: truth.

A close look at high schools reveals another key issue, for parents at least. Many librarians note that parents feel they cannot control the world that they send their children into.

They then try to maintain some control by selecting what the children are exposed to in books and movies.

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Between Censorship and Sarah Palin

The subject of censorship in libraries was part of the presidential-campaign rhetoric in 2008 as well. Candidate Sarah Palin discussed the subject while she was mayor of her hometown, Wasilla, Alaska.

This became a campaign issue for a short time, though Palin explained that here questions about censorship were for discussion purposes only.

The vice-presidential candidate also said that she had no particular books on a list when she talked to the Wasilla librarian.

That librarian replied that free exchange of information was her job and she would battle anyone who tried to limit that exchange.

The American Library Association policy states quite clearly that materials should never be excluded from circulation

“because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.”

American Library Association

When the library associations consider censorship, the idea of treating children differently generally comes up. Many people believe that some information is not suitable for those of a young age.

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Restricting the Rights of Children

Yet some propose that any restriction of information, even for children, is a violation of the basic rights of an individual.

They argue that parents have the responsibility to limit what their children are exposed, though this right-to-limit doesn’t extend to restricting what other children are exposed to.

The American Library Association is adamant about keeping government out of the censorship in libraries issue.

When censorship issues are raised, most of the time it’s because the material in question deals with ideas that are not popular with a certain individual or group.

It’s possible to divide the issue into such categories as sexual content, lifestyle choices, language use and so on. However, some who have looked closely at the subject find that the argument is generally a disagreement about an idea, such as homosexuality for example.

Even when the book does not describe sexual activity or language, parents object because the book suggests something they disagree with.

Librarians most often propose that there is a common knowledge that must be protected. Any and all information belongs in that huge basket, so that it is accessible to everyone.

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