Library Research Notes #27
Welcome back! It’s February and you know what that means - Black History Month! With all the book and curriculum challenges I spoke about in January, one can see how teaching true American History is proving to be more difficult than ever and February is no exception. Educators who are presenting the facts in their classrooms are coming up against a wave of criticism from white parents who are showing up to school board meetings, parent/teacher conferences, and other arenas where they can display their fragility, to push back on education.
Yes - I have a bias. I don’t think I need to say that here if you have been reading me for a while, but I’ll reiterate for those who are new. I am a liberal, anti-racist, anti-sexist, feminist who believes that we need to work together for the greater good and that until we are all privy to the real history of our country, we will never be able to get beyond it and make life equitable for all. This newsletter details some of the ways in which librarians, researchers, and other academics are working toward that greater good. Along the way, I hope to move you, my dear readers, with new information and give you a taste of what more there is to learn. Knowledge is a never-ending pursuit. Thank you for joining me on the journey.
February Topic
This month I’m going to be expanding on the idea of learning disruption and dig deeper into the connections between book banning and right-wing conservative politics. Although these connections might seem obvious, since the bulk of the challenges are of books with BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA++ representation, I believe there are deeper inner workings that need to be brought to light.
In January, I covered the push to remove reading materials from classrooms and school libraries and the ways that librarians are working to combat this form of censorship by upholding the right of intellectual freedom for all. Since writing on this topic, I have expanded my understanding of book challenges, via podcasts, articles, news stories, and other credible sources, to see these additional connections. Book challenges are merely the ruse to continue a movement toward a complete takeover of our government. This might sound hyperbolic, but it is the reality. Book challenges and anti-mask rallies are just another step in the march toward conservative takeover and this month I will try to connect at least a few of the dots.
February Sources
This month I will, again, use news articles, youtube videos, and podcasts episodes as sources for my research, and I will be citing each of these sources within the work for additional reading. A few of my current sources, for reading ahead/along are as follows:
I will also be sharing an extensive booklist, created with bookshop.org, for access to a selection of books that are currently being challenged across the country. I’m here for the kids in your life who need access to these materials. Knowledge is power.
Good News from the Stacks
In response to the surge of book challenges and legislative push to remove books from school and public libraries across the country, a group of librarians began the #FReadom movement in late 2021.
This movement seeks to support all those involved with libraries and to continue providing resources to students who need materials to continue learning. They are a lifeline and support system for librarians trying to continue to fight the good fight and combat the forces of anti-intellectualism that are, yet again, rising up in the US.