Sometimes censorship arrives through an anonymous whisper instead of an angry outburst. Unlike soft or self-censorship, which usually refers to a librarian’s actions to remove, limit, or not purchase potentially controversial materials, this type of censorship is practiced predominantly by patrons. In these cases, individuals do not officially voice a complaint about a material or request its removal; instead, they hide or mis-shelve items they disagree with, rearrange displays, damage or destroy materials, or check items out so that certain titles cannot be used by others.
Category: Everyday Advocacy
Mahmoud vs. Taylor, a reflection
There is little doubt that the library community at large is deeply saddened by the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Mahmoud vs. Taylor, ruling in favor of parents’ right to opt their children out of lessons based on religious objections to LGBTQIA+ themes in books.
From Shy Questions to Starry Dreams: Libraries Impact Lives
My goal as a librarian has always been to provide patrons with information that changes their lives in their moment of need. That may sound dramatic, but I’ve seen it happen enough times to know. I believe in our ability to use little moments to enact life-changing impacts. Printing a patron’s resume might finalize the interview for their dream job. Directing a caregiver to the right storytime might introduce their little one to a lifetime love of books. Helping an avid reader find their next book might inspire a new reading journey. These little moments, easily overlooked, have great impacts. They repeatedly and consistently prove the value of libraries, yet often start with something as small as a whispered question. Let me tell you a story of our impact in action.
Stranger than Fiction: Advocating for Philly’s School Libraries at #alaac25
To start, #alaac25 was stranger than fiction. The fiction: In episode seven of Abbott Elementary’s third season, Quinta Brunson’s character pilots a program that brings a librarian to the show’s titular Philadelphia school. Brunson, who also created the show, has spoken of how her childhood in Philly—and her mom’s teaching there—inspired the show.
Building Connections and Fostering Leadership: How ALSC Members Can Get Involved
At the Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC), we’re committed to fostering connections, creating valuable resources, and developing new leaders in the field of children’s library services. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a newcomer, there are countless opportunities for ALSC members to get involved, grow their skills, and contribute to our mission! The Membership Committee’s goal is to ensure that we’re supporting new members and also nurturing the active engagement of our existing ones. Here are a few ways you can take part in ALSC’s vibrant community and make a lasting impact. 1. Volunteer for a Committee or Task Force ALSC is powered by the energy and dedication of its member leaders. Volunteering for a committee or task force is an excellent way to contribute to the development of programs, resources, and initiatives that support children’s librarians and the children they serve. By volunteering, you’ll not only help…
Third Space Woes
The public library seeks to fill the third space for the community. Not a home, not a place for work/school, but a free type of oasis where they can learn, grow, explore, access resources, hangout, read, and a million more wonderful things. It sounds too good to be true. Actually, it is.
Support Libraries in 2025 by Taking Action
This post about how to support libraries is part of my humble effort to make sure science fiction remains fiction. You can blame the fact that I’ve been rereading Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower—published in 1993—in which protagonist Lauren Oya Olamina navigates an apocalyptic 2025 without libraries.
All Libraries Great and Small: Little Free Library and the Children’s Literacy Ecosystem
At #alaac24, I remember stopping by the Little Free Library booth in The Library Marketplace. Though I had seen Little Free Libraries around before—and always smiled when I saw one—I never took or left a book, much less thought about starting my own. You might say I stopped to smell the flowers but never picked or planted one. But that day at #alaac24, the seed for a Little Free Library hitched a ride back to North Central Florida.