Nov. 30, 2021

By Walt Williams

The American Library Association is condemning what it says is an uptick in reported attempts to remove books from libraries, with many of the challenged works either written by Black authors or tackling LGBTQ subject matter.

Republican lawmakers and conservative activists have pushed for the review or removal of many books from school libraries in recent months as part of a larger effort to purge critical race theory from public education. In one example, a Republican state lawmaker in Texas submitted a list of 850 books he found problematic and asked public schools to report whether they made them available to students.

Critics of these efforts point out critical race theory is a legal theory not taught in K-12 education. In a statement approved Monday by the boards of each of ALA's eight divisions, the association said the proposed book bans seek to remove titles that tell the stories of people of color or educate students about the lives of LGBTQ individuals.

"Falsely claiming that these works are subversive, immoral, or worse, these groups induce elected and non-elected officials to abandon constitutional principles, ignore the rule of law, and disregard individual rights to promote government censorship of library collections," ALA said. "Some of these groups even resort to intimidation and threats to achieve their ends, targeting the safety and livelihoods of library workers, educators, and board members who have dedicated themselves to public service, informing our communities, and educating our youth."

The association added that libraries "manifest the promises of the First Amendment by making available the widest possible range of viewpoints, opinions, and ideas, so that every person has the opportunity to freely read and consider information and ideas, regardless of their content or the viewpoint of the author."

ALA has maintained an Office of Intellectual Freedom since 1967. The office tracks challenges to books in school and public libraries and releases an annual list of the 10 most challenged titles.

MORE CEO DATELINE

• Banking, credit union associations clash in digital campaigns
• Heavy equipment group backs embattled lawmakers who voted for infrastructure bill
• Group seeks fair pay for translators in entertainment industry
• Court sides with solar association on tariffs
• Report: Microsoft, Uber leaving Internet Association