Intellectual Freedom News

NPR has reported that “a group of angry parents” is suing county officials in Llano, Texas over that county’s efforts to censor library materials. No county officials or their attorney agreed to be interviewed, but the suit alleges “the commissioners court created a new library advisory board, packed it with political appointees and closed the meetings to the public.“ Therefore, the “plaintiffs say they have no recourse but the courts.”

Said one plaintiff, Leila Green Little, “when my kids get older and they have something that they need to stand up for, I couldn't in good conscience tell them to speak up and speak out if I didn't do the same thing myself.” You go, Ms. Green Little! RF is an all-volunteer and unfunded group; while we wish we had funds to support you, we offer a shout out. The county removing books—and not just children’s books but teen/adult oriented ones such as Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender )Teen, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, and They Called Themselves The K.K.K.: The Birth Of An American Terrorist Group —from the library is a clear violation of the First Amendment, with a government entity suppressing speech in order to promote an anti-gay agenda and prevent a realistic consideration of our racist history.

Speaking of Intellectual Freedom, now’s is time to apply for three American Library Association Intellectual Freedom Round Table Committee Awards:

The John Phillip Immroth award honors the courage of a living individual, group, or organization setting an example for the defense and furtherance of the principles of intellectual freedom. The award consists of a citation and $500. Applications are open: https://ala.org/rt/ifrt/immroth.

Have (or know of) a good book on the theme of Intellectual Freedom published in 2021 or 2022? Could be non-fiction or fiction, youth, teen, or adult. Submit it to ALA's Oboler Award for consideration! https://ala.org/rt/ifrt/oboler. You could win a citation and $500.

The Gerald Hodges Award consists of a citation and $1,000 for an intellectual freedom focused organization for strong ongoing program or a single project supporting intellectual freedom, patron confidentiality, and anti-censorship. Apply today! https://ala.org/rt/ifrt/hodges.