Bias in the library | American Libraries Magazine

NPR’s On the Media examines the Dewey Decimal Classification System, a method that dates back to 1876 and is used by most libraries around the world. The second most popular system, the Library of Congress Classification System, was published in the early 1900s and based on the organization of Thomas Jefferson’s personal library. These systems help patrons find books on the shelves and facilitate resource-sharing between libraries. But they also encode bias into the structure of libraries.

On the Media, Sept. 3

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Betsy Gomez writes: “Award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay has been named honorary chair for Banned Books Week 2024, which takes place September 22–28. DuVernay will be joined by youth honorary chair Julia Garnett, a student activist who fought book bans in her home state of Tennessee. A staunch advocate for education and free expression, DuVernay directed two films inspired by frequently banned books: A Wrinkle in Time and Origin. Garnett has been honored for her advocacy for the freedom to read by First Lady Jill Biden and is a leader in the National Coalition Against Censorship’s Student Advocates for Speech program, educating other students about advocacy.”

Intellectual Freedom Blog, Sept. 6
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Kate Knibbs writes: “The Internet Archive has lost a major legal battle—in a decision that could have a significant impact on the future of internet history. The US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled against the long-running digital archive September 4, upholding an earlier ruling in Hachette v. Internet Archive that found that one of the Internet Archive’s book digitization projects [the pandemic-era National Emergency Library] violated copyright law. Notably, the appeals court’s ruling rejects the Internet Archive’s argument that its lending practices were shielded by the fair use doctrine.”

Wired, Sept. 4
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Anne Ford writes: “From outside, Downtown Reno Library of Washoe County (Nev.) Library System looks like a big square brown box. ‘There’s no pizazz out front,’ says Kristen Ryan, branch manager. So when people walk inside and find a lush central atrium with an abundance of philodendrons, spotted begonias, and other greenery; several towering trees; and a reflection pool, they tend to gasp the same thing: ‘Oh my god, look at all the plants!’”

American Libraries column, May
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“Every year, ALA recognizes the achievements of more than 200 individuals and institutions with an array of awards honoring their service to librarians and librarianship. Winners are chosen by juries of their colleagues and peers and embody the best of the profession’s leadership, vision, and service as well as a continued commitment to outreach and equity, diversity, and inclusion. Award recipients were honored at a June 30 ceremony and reception during ALA’s 2024 Annual Conference and Exhibition in San Diego.”

American Libraries feature, Sept./Oct.
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Rick Anderson writes: “‘Are libraries neutral?’ This is the question that was posed at the ALA Midwinter President’s Program in Denver a few years ago. A diverse panel of librarians was asked to take turns responding to that question, with results that were sometimes very interesting and sometimes fairly predictable. There was a very big problem, though, and it lay in the organizing question itself. One can’t really answer it meaningfully without first asking a clarifying question: ‘neutral’ about what? In some ways neutrality in the library is clearly a very bad idea—and yet in some important ways, it’s absolutely essential.”

The Scholarly Kitchen, Sept. 3
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JoelYana Kunichoff writes: “Joel D. Valdez Main Library in Tucson, Arizona, could close for downsizing renovations in December, with a proposed plan to reopen in a different location at a future date. The change, along with the closure of more branches and the transition of one to a library administrative building, are part of a series of proposals for the Pima County Public Library system. The proposed changes are necessary because of chronic staffing shortages and the financial weight of some of the library locations, as well as strains faced by the system in responding to community needs like health care, shelter, and food, a draft report said.”

Arizona Luminaria, Aug. 27
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Ian Hodgson writes: “A coalition of the nation’s largest book publishers filed a lawsuit August 29 against Florida education officials alleging that a 2023 Florida law that increased scrutiny of school library books unconstitutionally limits free speech. The law requires school librarians to remove books that contain ‘sexual conduct,’ with no consideration of the work’s educational or artistic merit, according to the complaint. Once a parent or resident of the county objects to the book, it must be removed within five days and remain unavailable until the objection is resolved.”

Tampa Bay Times, Aug. 29

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