Censorship’s Reach: Public Libraries Under Siege

The recent report from PEN America paints a dire picture of public libraries in the US on the brink of collapse due to ideological attacks, harassment, and censorship. The study, titled Out of Circulation, documents numerous episodes of verbal and physical assaults on librarians, book bans, and funding cuts that have left these institutions reeling.

The creeping influence of partisan politics in public libraries is a concerning trend. In Tennessee, conservative activist Riley Gaines was appointed to a library board, where she promptly used social media to brand certain books as “filth” and denounce her colleagues for ignoring state funding restrictions on “woke gender ideology.” This is just one example of how ideologically driven individuals are inserting themselves into the governance of public libraries.

The Idaho law passed in March that allows city councils to hire and fire library directors, rather than relying on appointed boards, has sent a chilling message: librarians are no longer trusted to make decisions about their own collections. This erosion of autonomy is particularly concerning, given the critical role that public libraries play as neutral repositories of knowledge and information.

Attacks on drag shows at or promoted by public libraries are another worrying trend. Bomb threats, protests, and physical assaults have caused events or story times to be cancelled in several states, including New York, Massachusetts, and Nevada. These attacks not only restrict access to books but also deny marginalized communities safe spaces where they can express themselves.

The PEN America report highlights the staggering number of book bans, with almost 23,000 documented since 2021. The American Library Association has found that 51% of all attempted book bans occur in public libraries, rather than schools. This trend is disturbing, given the importance of public libraries as guardians of intellectual freedom.

According to Kasey Meehan, PEN America’s Freedom to Read director, these attacks are part of a larger effort to control what readers have access to and what ideas are represented. “Local libraries nationwide have long been safe havens for the freedom to read and finding joy and comfort in books,” she notes. “Increasingly, they are censorship battlegrounds.”

As communities organize to protect their right to read, it’s clear that public libraries are not just casualties of ideological warfare – they’re also a crucial front line in the battle for democracy. By targeting librarians and collections, ideologically driven groups are attempting to erase marginalized voices from our collective narrative.

The recent backlash against Moms for Liberty candidates in Florida’s primary elections may signal a shift in the tide. However, the damage has already been done, and it will take sustained effort to rebuild trust in public libraries and protect their independence.