What are public librarians opinions on book banning and the offereing of controversal literature in the united states?
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Public librarians in the United States hold varying opinions on book banning and the offering of controversial literature. Research involving over 3,200 public librarians in the Midwest in the 1970s aimed to gauge their attitudes towards intellectual freedom and censorship . The relationship between librarians and censorship has historically been complex, with challenges arising from issues like religion, politics, and sex . Librarians are seen as having a duty to facilitate access to controversial information while serving their communities and adhering to governing bodies . Furthermore, the American Library Association (ALA) has been a key figure in advocating for intellectual freedom ideals within the library profession, emphasizing the importance of providing diverse literature to patrons .
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| Papers (5) | Insight |
|---|---|
| Public librarians in the United States may self-censor due to fear of book challenges, impacting access to diverse literature for students, as highlighted in the research. | |
| Public librarians in the United States aim to facilitate access to controversial literature, supporting intellectual freedom despite challenges, as highlighted in the research paper on censorship in libraries. | |
| Public librarians in the US focus on banned books in schools and libraries but overlook the significant issue of book banning in prisons, perpetuating racial injustice and ethical shortcomings. | |
13 Citations | Public librarians in the Midwest show varying attitudes towards intellectual freedom, censorship, and antidemocratic ideas, as revealed in a 1970-71 survey on their views on book banning and controversial literature. |
30 Apr 2019 | Not addressed in the paper. |
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