Book Bans Continue to Challenge the Right to Read

Our public libraries are resources providing access to knowledge, entertainment, and individual empowerment. The books, magazines, movie titles, and music offerings available for check-out are opportunities for us to get a better understanding of the world and the people who inhabit it.

In my career as a journalist and, later, a technology research analyst, back in the old days of the late 20thcentury, I took for granted that I would always have access to information at libraries. These days, however, I am not so optimistic that open access will remain.

It’s tough to be reminded that libraries around the U.S. are besieged by attempts to ban books, but it is happening. Our libraries and their staffs deal with these efforts regularly. But there is a new wrinkle: 72% of book censorship attempts are coming from pressure groups and government entities that include elected officials, board members, and administrators.

An already tough environment for libraries and librarians is getting tougher with the news of a presidential executive order eliminating the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS, learn more). The American Library Association filed suit soon after the announcement of the executive order and the case is currently in the courts.

Redwood City Public Libraries (RCPL), and all San Mateo County public libraries and their respective staffs, are on the frontlines of fighting to ensure our citizens have the right to read, watch and listen to all the content the libraries house. Fortunately, there are several ways we can all show our support for our local libraries. Try one or all of these:

• Get a library card – if you don’t have one. Encourage a new neighbor to get one (after they unpack!)
• Make sure your local, state and federal representatives know how much your libraries mean to you as a resident (and voter)
• Donate to the local non-profits supporting your libraries

Speaking of which . . . Here’s a real fun way to support RCPL: Buy some tickets for the Redwood City Library Foundation’s (RCLF) 4th Annual Upscale Pub Crawl on starting at 5 pm on Oct. 8. Our theme for this year’s pub crawl: “Censorship is so 1984!” The pub crawl is one of the RCLF’s fundraisers that supports RCPL’s special initiatives, including buying books for the Summer Learning Challenge, paying for the technologies comprising the library’s Bridging-the-Digital-Divide initiative, and the Makerspace. (You can check out the RCLF’s initiatives here.)

We all live in head-spinning times with many demands for our attention; please don’t take for granted how are libraries empower all of us.

Mike McGuire, Board member, RCLF

Redwood City, CA