Cenorship Essay, Research Paper

Intellectual freedom and censorship are two different sides of the same coin. You cannot have intellectual freedom if censorship is being practiced. Censorship happens at different levels according to the American Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee. Censorship could be simply an inquire as to why a certain item was purchased up to and including the removal of material from open access.

How can libraries be a place where information can be deciphered and a belief born? How can the general content of a library be of the widest possible variety? Can diversification of materials be implemented to foster an atmosphere of intellectual freedom? Will a small segment of society be able to dictate what the policy is for obtaining materials for the library? The United States Constitution in the First Amendment guarantees the right to free speech even if the ideas expressed seem to be unusual, unpopular or politically incorrect. Can librarians help guard this precious freedom by ensuring there are materials available to use from which ideas may be formulated? Will the constraints of a budget omit the need to defend the collection from those that would censor the collection? Clients of a library need to understand why a vast array of materials are needed on any one particular subject instead of a single copy of one source. The right of the individual to access a variety of materials on a single subject matter also needs to be protected.

A purchasing policy needs to be adopted and followed when obtaining new materials for the library. When a purchasing policy is in place there are written guidelines for what will be purchased and how many copies will be purchased. An individual or a group then asking why a certain piece of material was acquired for the library can be referred to the written policy on purchasing new materials or the acquisition policy. Written statements of policy automatically help defend your position because time has been taken to establish guidelines and it is not then just your personal choice. A written policy also indicates usually that you have approval from some higher authority than just yourself.

Library staff should always try to make statements or replies in a positive manner. When speaking to someone else talk to that person in the same way you would want someone to speak to you. Respond in a way in which you do not make the person feel ignorant for questioning the purchase of certain material(s). Talk to that person on their own level. Speakers that always use the big words or job related jargon are not necessarily showing their intelligence. It does no good to know or even have been the author of the acquisition policy if you cannot explain that policy so a first grader can understand it.

All situations are best dealt with if you can incorporate a little humor into them. It may be just the tension release valve that is needed. It must be realized that many of the censorship cases, that go to a formal complaint, are or become a very stressful situation. There have been documented cases within the last five years where death threats have been issued as part of trying to achieve the goal of having a certain piece of material removed from the library. Could humor have helped this extreme situation before such dire threats were made? Probably not in this case but on the other hand it certainly could not have hurt the situation any.

Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me, but name calling or sticking a label on someone during a conflict can certainly hurt your credibility. When the conflict has been resolved you want those patrons to continue to use the library. A worse case scenario would be that you are not only fighting against censorship but defending in a liable suit. Take time to treat others the way you want to be treated. It is important that the claims you are making can be back up with facts. This re-enforces the fact that it is vital to have am acquisition policy in effect and that this policy is being followed. It is important to follow this plan in regard to purchases as well as in accepting donations of materials.

Wise budgeting means that part of your library budget will be set aside for educating the public. Guest speakers could speak on the importance of maintaining our freedom. In this manner patron and potential patrons could be predisposed to look upon challenges to certain materials as an infringement on their intellectual freedom. A pamphlet could be printed using humor to start clients thinking about their right to a free choice in materials available for their use. Censorship Opposing Viewpoints (Wasserman. 1982. Library Censorship is not Justified. In Orr, Lisa (Ed.), Censorship Opposing Viewpoints (p.128) San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press, Inc.) Uses political cartoons to convey the idea that censorship is not acceptable. See attachment. The library might wish to sponsor a contest with the winner of the best political cartoon against censoring winning a prize. Opportunities to speak in favor of intellectual freedom and thereby against censorship should never be ignored. These opportunities may be on a one-to-one basis, interviews for television, radio or newspaper. If the library publishes a newsletter an article could be written on intellectual freedom.

It must be remembered freedom has a price. Our forefathers fought for freedom from British rule. The price many paid at that time was their life. Intellectual freedom or freedom from censorship is something we need to fight today. We do not have to fight the good fight alone. Organizations other than the libraries are also against censorship. Contact needs to be made with these organizations and a helping partnership established in those areas where we can help each other. Investigate the library s options carefully what you hear about someone or something may or may not be true. Care should be taken that any alliance formed will benefit the library and not harm the library s reputation, in other words get the facts straight.

In my opinion the best possible way to defeat censorship is to educate the public. This education can take many different forms and be on a vast range of levels. I also feel that all endeavors should be done within the guidelines of the ten commandments plus one in the fight against censorship. These commandments were found in many of my readings and also received in my LIS 601 class they are:

Ten Commandments for the Fight Against Censorship

1. Emphasis the positive

2. You don t have to spend your life living like a refugee

3. Remember the First Amendment exists to protect speech and activities that are unpopular

4. Don t believe hype

5. Freedom isn t free

6. Keep your sense of humor

7. Remember that Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor

8. Don t mourn, develop seminars discussing the big issue of censorship

9. Take advantage of resources

10. Contact other groups in your area which are interested in free speech; this is not just your fight.

The plus one I would add is this:

11. Treat and speak to others as you want to be treated and spoken to.