In a September 2022 article in Truthout on issues facing libraries, Emily Drabinski, CUNY librarian and ALA President-elect, highlights the issue of book banning throughout the U.S. and discusses its impact. Drabinski makes the case that underinvestment in libraries also keeps books off of shelves and out of the hands of readers. Now more than ever, the importance of funding for libraries is key to work against censorship and maintain users’ ability to access books; as well as allow patrons to participate in the multitude of programs and services that libraries offer.
The article highlights the importance of funding for libraries, making the point that “censorship is not the only way that books get removed from the hands of readers.” Libraries are in need of adequate funding to remain open, robustly staffed, their building repairs up to date, and to keep books on shelves.
“There are many ways to ban a book” Drabinski writes. These include, for instance, if the library lacks the funds to purchase and catalog a certain volume. Another example would be if the library does not have sufficient staff to “select and acquire materials, to catalog and classify, to circulate and preserve, to read to children, to teach people to use computers, to assist medical researchers with systematic reviews.”
Although sobering to reflect on this, the Truthout article does bring to mind the diversity of services libraries offer. The article highlights one librarian speaking at a recent conference about the community partnerships her library has forged in a rural area, including “a food pantry, a diaper bank, blood drives and other services” which exist in addition to the traditional library functions of book-checkouts.
The article emphasizes this ongoing point that the library “is at the center of the community,” a point that rings true for Albany Public Library, with its many community partnerships and programs. Please stay tuned for more details on how to support our beloved library during Library Advocacy Day, this season. Library Advocacy day will take place on February 28, 2023!
