All articles tagged with #libraries
Richard Osman continues to top Staffordshire libraries' most borrowed books list for the fourth consecutive year, with crime and thriller genres dominating, while Julia Donaldson leads the children's list. The list highlights popular titles in adult and children's fiction, reflecting ongoing reader preferences and the importance of libraries in communities.
US librarians and civil rights groups are fighting against widespread book bans targeting LGBTQ+ and racial content, viewing these efforts as a manufactured crisis fueled by conservative groups. Legal victories and grassroots resistance highlight the importance of libraries as democratic institutions and safe spaces for marginalized communities, despite personal and professional repercussions faced by librarians.
Hawaii libraries have rebranded Banned Books Week as 'Freedom to Read' and imposed restrictions on related displays, including bans on certain language, imagery, and materials from the American Library Association, amid rising national challenges to book censorship, especially concerning LGBTQ+ and BIPOC themes.
New York City leaders have agreed on a $115.9 billion budget that includes funding for expanded library hours and early childhood education, with Mayor Eric Adams calling it the 'best budget ever' ahead of the upcoming election.
RuPaul used his Emmy acceptance speech to defend drag performers reading in libraries, urging people to listen to drag queens and emphasizing the power of knowledge. RuPaul's Drag Race won the Emmy for Outstanding Competition Program, marking its sixth win since 2018. Succession and The Bear dominated the 75th Emmy Awards, with Succession winning Best Drama Series and actors Sarah Snook and Kieran Culkin taking home acting trophies. Additionally, RuPaul won Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program, bringing his total Emmy wins to 16.
The recent Israeli attacks on Gaza have not only caused immense destruction and loss of life but have also devastated the enclave's cultural institutions, including its libraries. The Gaza Municipal Library and the Rashad al-Shawa Cultural Center, which hosted a historic meeting between President Bill Clinton and Yasser Arafat, have been reduced to rubble. The destruction of these libraries, along with museums, archaeological sites, and university campuses, has left residents mourning the loss of these cultural beacons and communal spaces. The Gaza City municipality has called on UNESCO to protect Gaza's cultural institutions, emphasizing their importance and the need to preserve them.
Missouri ranks third in the United States for book banning in schools, with 333 books removed from shelves in classrooms or school libraries over the past year. The rise in book bans is attributed to vaguely worded state legislation and pressure from advocacy groups. Libraries in the St. Louis region have also become battlegrounds, with librarians temporarily removing books following the passage of a new state law banning sexually explicit material. The American Library Association reports an increase in challenges to library materials and services, with challengers targeting both school and public libraries. The book banning movement is seen as a threat to free expression and the joy of reading for students.
Carnival Cruise Line is removing libraries from its ships, both in new builds and during renovations, replacing them with more popular venues such as bars or coffee shops. The decision is based on the declining demand for library spaces and the opportunity to generate revenue from these areas. While some guests lament the loss of a quiet space for reading or games, there are still other areas on the ships where passengers can find peace and relaxation.
St. Louis County libraries in Missouri are making the opioid overdose reversal drug Narcan available for free at all 20 library branches. The initiative aims to combat the opioid epidemic by providing easy access to the nasal spray, which can reverse overdoses. Five branches have already been distributing Narcan as part of a pilot program since July. County residents can request a kit with no questions asked, and there is no age restriction. The partnership between the library system and the county Public Health Department is seen as unprecedented, with reducing overdose deaths being a priority.
The battle over books in Livingston Parish, Louisiana, has escalated into harassment and threats against librarians defending a diverse selection of books. Librarians are being shouted down, vilified, and even reported to the police, leaving many fearing for their safety. The intense backlash has led to an exodus of librarians, leaving libraries short-staffed and driving up the human, civic, and financial costs of the battle over books.
A federal judge in Arkansas has temporarily blocked a state law that would have made it a crime for librarians and booksellers to provide minors with materials deemed "harmful." The law was challenged by bookstores, libraries, and patrons who argued that it violated individual liberties and the First Amendment. The judge issued a preliminary injunction, stating that the law would encourage censorship and that the definition of "harmful" materials was overly vague. The law would have allowed anyone to challenge the appropriateness of materials in libraries, potentially forcing librarians to remove books or face criminal charges. The ACLU of Arkansas celebrated the court's decision, emphasizing the importance of defending freedom of speech and thought.
The Houston independent school district in Texas plans to replace libraries with discipline centers as part of a new education system initiative. Librarian and media-specialist positions in 28 schools will be eliminated, and misbehaving students will be sent to these discipline centers for remote learning. The move has sparked criticism from the mayor and retired librarians, who argue that revoking access to books is not the solution to behavioral issues and will create a two-tier system within the district. The district did not provide immediate comment on the matter.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the City Council have reached a $107 billion budget deal that restores funding for key services while making cuts in other areas. Libraries, which were initially facing cuts, have been spared, but programs at Rikers Island, the city's main jail, have suffered. The budget negotiations were challenging, with City Council members pushing for reversals of cuts to libraries, schools, and education services at Rikers Island. While some Council priorities were restored, budget watchdogs warn that the city still faces significant financial challenges in the coming years.
Illinois has passed a law prohibiting book bans in public schools and libraries, with Governor J.B. Pritzker calling it the first of its kind. The law directs public libraries in the state to adopt or write their own versions of a library bill of rights, which asserts that materials should not be removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval. Libraries that don't comply could lose state funding. The move comes amid a rise in book-banning efforts across the country, especially in Republican-led states, where lawmakers have made it easier to remove library books that political groups deemed objectionable.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed a historic bill that would ban libraries from banning books, making it the first of its kind in the nation. The law would cut off funding to any libraries that remove books currently on the shelf. The law was pushed by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, who is also the state's librarian, and is a response to the backlash in many local school districts against controversial books, particularly some championed by the LBGTQ+ community. The law goes into effect on January 1, 2024.