American Library Association - Blog Posts

Hailed, Held, Hung

While my main venture into a library will be for books, as previously stated they are also community centers and should me a resource to increase opportunity and equality of the local residents. A recent episode of Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj looked at another form of inequality, unequal access to the internet.

The internet had become an additional resource all residents in the U.S. and in other developed nations need to have in order to be a successful part of society. Further than the internet, more accurately it’s the instant access to the internet via smartphone but even if not instant the internet has replaced many telephone, mailing and older forms of communication and information access, especially when it comes to research, employment and getting assistance. And again, libraries were part of making up for these inequalities for those who cannot afford, understand or otherwise access the internet.

Unfortunately, again libraries and the communities who need these opportunities and access are hit the hardest. Closing libraries, shorter operating hours and fines related to late library books are creating a further divide. As the world progresses, we have to make sure that not only we don’t leave people behind but that we are doing what we can to rise everyone up together

Unequal, Shattered, Abandoned

The United States is Big as FUCK. While not reaching the billions such as China or India, the US is the 3rd most populated country in the world being 25% larger than the next largest country (Indonesia) more than one and a half times the size of the 5th largest (Brazil) and two and a half times larger than the 10th most populated country (Mexico). (1) Unable to discuss US public libraries in their entirety and not an official determinant of success, I’ve looked at the libraries between the state with the highest life expectancy (Hawaii: 81.5), the average (North Dakota: 78.6) and the lowest (Mississippi: 74.5)

Not the best example, Hawaii only has one public library located on the island of Honolulu. This makes some sense as Hawaii is an island-based state with a smaller population; however, in comparison North Dakota only had 5 registered public library districts and Mississippi had 14. In this context, it would seem those who live longer either read less  or fared better without library access; but when compared to much larger states NY (132) and California (155) quantity of libraries is more determined on population than other things to some degree as Texas (97) and Florida (65) have less libraries than their population should. Regardless, library access is very much linked to community and wealth as rural communities and the poorer parts of urban communities having little or no access. (2)

In a country of such prosperity, equal access and opportunity should be considered and implemented at a Federal level and not center on the self-fulfilling prophecy of only those who can afford the best opportunities are able to provide the best opportunities and resources for themselves. An additional note of importance is that part of the official Library Servers website, there is “Books You Really Should Have Read” advertisement, of noteworthy books and how to get them on Amazon

(1)    https://www.census.gov/popclock/

(2)    http://www.lib-web.org/united-states/public-libraries/

Inequality: Indifference x Insufficiency

Today 300,000 plus Chicago students didn’t go to school today, spending the day at home, hanging out with friends or joining their fellow classmates and over 25,000 educational workers in Chicago who are striking against working conditions and educational opportunities of the Chicago Public Schools. 

Along with adequate nursing staff, emotional and mental health support a main complaint from parents is that there aren’t libraries in schools and how that lack of community space deepens the fractures occurring. Linked to the lack of community space in the schools, there is also a lack of bilingual teachers creating another barrier for students who either rely on other students to help them with their work or give up. 

The strike has two sides to it: the teachers and the students. The teachers need more pay in order to lessen their financial and connected emotional stress and anxiety so they can focus more on their students and be the best teachers they can. But they are also fighting for their students. By demanding smaller class sizes, mental health resources so student can be assisted before they hit that breaking point, and pushing for school libraries they are fighting for their students now, in their next grade, their next school and the rest of their lives

Gutted, Gentrified and Gone

Libraries are great community spaces that should be free so local residents can learn, explore and expand their minds and creativity. But libraries like our schools, are generally paid for by the income of the local residents, therefore, poorer communities get less funding and therefore poorer quality libraries. Similar to the recent “Aunt Becky” college situation, this goes against the ideals behind libraries and in the US, our equality, and how knowledge, perseverance, education and will is supposed to allow us all to flourish.

A prime example of the differences in communities is nestled within San Francisco. Known for massive hills and hipsters, San Francisco’s Pacific Heights Presidio Branch Library is just six miles away from the Bayview Linda Brooks-Burton Branch Library in Bayview-Hunters Point. There is nothing wrong with the Bayview Library; its open frequently, it’s clean and the local neighborhood seems to enjoy it but with comparison you can see a difference to the Presidio Branch Library. First, the Bayview Library is in an semi-industrial area and has classes geared to computer classes for Adults & Seniors including sales meetings and tax classes. The Presidio library is surrounded by open grass where you can comfortably read outside, has information available about it’s environmental LEED Green Report Card, highlights inter-library loan, foreign language staff and diverse classes of baby and toddler interaction, writing classes and Tai Chi. The Presidio Branch Library has the resources and access residents need to want to visit the library and develop new interests. This is not surprising as Pacific Heights is noted as a rich and thriving community (1) and Bayview has been graded one of the worst based on income and education opportunities (2) and has a history of gentrification and marginalization (3). Libraries don’t have to be pretty and I can understand how they’re not always the most updated but we cannot forget that “a rising tide lifts all boats” and that we are all equal.

(1)   https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-pacific-heights-san-francisco-billionaires-row-2014-3

(2)   https://www.roadsnacks.net/worst-neighborhoods-in-san-francisco-ca/

(3)   https://www.mccalman.co/portfolio/i-am-bayview/

Dreamed, Desired, Determined

Tripzilla, a Southeast Asia Travel-Media company, created a list of the 10 libraries you must visit around the world. (https://www.tripzilla.com/10-bucket-list-libraries-you-must-visit-once-in-your-lifetime/27470)

Stadtbibliothek in Stuttgart, Germany

With a bit of an Escher vibe, I love it, though I highly doubt it looks this way all the time. Everyone in Germany can’t be this neat.

Biblioteca Vasconcelos in Mexico City, Mexico

This one looks a little scary, both what I would imagine being stuck at a microscopic size in a large industrial machine but also in the engine room of the Titanic but I can see through walls. Looks nice, but I think I’d spend most of time fearing a book or something else was going to fall and kill me

Liyuan Library in Beijing, China

Well that was dumb, I didn’t even think about going to a library when I traveled and my guess is that for the most part I won’t be going back. I love the homey and natural feel of this mountain-nestled library.  It definitely looks like a place where you feel welcome to sit and read all day with some tea.

Benediktinerstift Admont in Admont Abbey, Austria

This one, for me, is just one to look around in. Along with the distraction of the ceilings and insane molding, I’d be too afraid to drop something and make a mess (after my Belle swing on a ladder and sing about books moment of course)

New York Public Library in New York, U.S.A

Ehh. I’ve been here but while it’s beautiful and I guess famous it’s also incredibly strict, convoluted to get through and the true library portion of it is a small floor in the basement

Musashino Art University Library in Tokyo, Japan

So, maybe it’s because it’s the Art University library and maybe this is for better planning but all I can think is, WHY ARE THERE SO MANY SPOTS WITHOUT BOOKS! Nope, not a fan.

Librije Zutphen in Gelderland, Netherlands

Okay, this is more for the historic obviously than for the actual bibliophile or community. But at the same time, maybe not the worst idea given the books, movies and other items that somehow never make it back

Taipei Public Library Beitou Branch in Taipei, Taiwan

Surrounded by just a bit of nature and peace, this library is a true haven for the local community who want to get an escape from the chaos of city and modern life. Not only made entirely of wood and glass, it is also a certified  green building with plenty of space and freedom to restore yourself

Villanueva Public Library in Casanare, Columbia and Min Buri Old Market Library in Bangkok, Thailand

These libraries are what it’s all about. Both intricate and developed by the community, for the community the Villanueva was designed and built my students and organizations in the community with locally-sourced materials and is meeting place for many of the community’s social events and activities.

The Min Buri Old Market Library was a small (3 by 9 meters) unoccupied space that residents spruced up into a library with local books, a small reading and garden space in the back and workstations “upstairs”.  

Forgotten, Flexible and Free

There has been a pretty one-sided debate about libraries and overdue fines with a majority of speakers stating that they go against the purpose of libraries and aren’t productive in getting books returned, and pretty much no speakers on the other side of the debate. Over the past few years various communities across the US have worked or looked into removing the fines and research has shown that 1) the fines are more time and sometimes monetarily more costly to the library, 2) you end up lessening your patronage as community members don’t want to deal with the hassle or cannot afford the fines, 3) those who have racked up the fines are majorly those who need the library resources the most: children and those without disposable income.

Recent removable of library late fees or fines by the Chicago Public Library system and San Francisco Public Library system will increase access for low-income families and children, who in Chicago make up 20% of cardholders who have had access removed because of late books fees, and will bring the library back to its true calling: where book lovers and the local community can come together

(1)    https://princh.com/4-reasons-why-removing-fines-could-be-the-next-breakthrough-for-your-library/#.XZeSQkZKgdU

(2)    https://www.citylab.com/equity/2019/10/public-library-late-fees-chicago-san-francisco-equity-access/599194/

Toshokan

According to various reports on world education and intelligent, Japan is one of the best. Inspired by the Western World, Japan’s first public library or “Toshokan” was first opened in 1982. 

The Japanese government has kept their libraries updated with the changing times, made them a necessity in cities with over 50,000 residents and after World War II deemed that libraries were meant to be free, meeting the needs of residents which necessitated the creation of mobile libraries in the 1960s, way ahead of their time. Almost all schools in Japan have a school-based library, introducing children to reading at an early age. No country or current library system is perfect; however, Japan’s residents are well read and educated because they have had the opportunity and access to develop and grow.

(1) https://www.jla.or.jp/portals/0/html/libraries-e.html

Japanese High School Library tour: 

Books, Books, Book

All-in-all, reading has a lot of benefits and by limiting the diversity of books, you are taking away some of these benefits and taking them entirely from someone who might have started reading if they had just read *that book*. Earlier today the Washington Post listed other reasons to not fall into the paranoia of banning or challenging books from the superficial: a lot of classic books were at one time banned; many books are based on issues with unique diversity and representation that are unique in a society becoming more accepting (in most places), and when you find a book has been banned or challenged, that may start a conversation.  

A Circle of Chaos

So, who puts in the effort to try and ban or challenge a book? I would think, and could agree to a certain extent, that parents are those who attempted to restrict their children’s access to books (thou I don’t know why they just don’t do it as parents instead of loophole out of their authority and try to use someone else’s) at their child’s school depending on their age (where some of their authority has temporarily been given over to the teacher or administration). However, while parents make up the second largest percent of challenges against books (32%) only 37% of all challenges occur at schools or school libraries with the majority happening at public libraries (59%) by other local library users (33%).

Books are also not the only things get challenged and for some, removal of the book includes vandalism, theft and destruction (burning books). In 2018 62% of all challenges or censorship actions in libraries were against books, but 15% of challenges were against meetings, 10% were against databases, films and games and 6% were about artwork. This scope of the challenges is the reason for the focus of censorship during banned books week as these challenges extend past the idea usually presented that books are banned because the material is “too mature” for the age group it was recommended too but has to do more with the prejudice behind those promoting the bans and can create an horrific self-fulfilling prophecy as those who were limited in the experiences and connections to these book will remain close-minded and become the passionate censorship leaders of our future.

http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/statistics

Lessons to Learn (from Banned Books)

There are a few stories listed as classics, children’s books and young adult novels that are on the banned lists. Noting a few of my favorites on the classics list (1) and my #1, these are books that produce a unique view and with proper discussion can really influence and mold the individual.

Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling is the obvious choice, not only did it play a large part in molding me but it was also a great comfort that others who were tormented or bullied were not alone in those feelings

The Lord of the Flies by William Golding was a funny and realistic story. If you don’t like the story, then really you don’t like humanity—there was even a US television series that had the same outcome, except this had boys and girls. (2) While it showed how people break down in survival settings and need guidance in someway, it also showed how some naturally lead in a positive way or negative way, the effects of propaganda and how others are natural protectors. The focus of the title and the non-titular character is all a warning about how we can all lose ourselves

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess, similar to Lord of the Flies, people seem upset to know that they might not be perfect. One of my first experiences with now the common “near-future destroyed society” similar to The Outsiders you are introduced to a group of kids who start off as, not the best (these guys are worse than The Outsiders). Similar to The Lord of the Flies, instead of trying for a common good, cracks develop within a group of kids being the worst they can be. With two versions, there are two possible long-term endings to the story that nod to the readers belief about life’s outcomes are based on chance or choice

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote is one of the most infamous, if not the most infamous, story about how depraved people can be. To the point and getting inside the mind of the criminals, unlike other stories such as A Clockwork Orange or Lord of the Flies where we may suspend our understanding or relationship to the criminals as they are fictitious, here they were real.

The reading of these stories when we are younger is not always best (Lolita) but discussion and true examination while you read can open your mind not just to different life experiences or difficulties you share with others but also common human struggles that have different levels and the different ends they may come to.

 (1) http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/classics

(2) https://www.flavorwire.com/474701/kid-nation-looking-back-on-tvs-most-disturbing-reality-show

Challenges to the Future

As stated, books are great at taking the reader in and allowing them to experience something new. In the late 2000s and continued today, multiple researchers find that while the Harry Potter series focused prejudice specific to the wizarding world (blood status, class, speciesism), children who had read the series had translated the messages of equality into their own lives and lessened their prejudices of class, race, immigrants and others.

With an easy skim, two of my favorite children’s books/series are on this list: Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling (of course), and The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder. While this large list of 130 of the most frequently challenged books overall (2) does not give the reasons why by looking at the titles you can see these of Cuban-stories (anti-communism, immigration), children growing up (books that mention changing bodies, sex-questions), “attacks” on religion (books with a non-Christian focus: witchcraft mostly), and challenged due to LGBTQIA+ content are again about trying to keep children “pure” and to block them from learning about the world around them. The list focused on YA novels, noted as those written for a YA audience, with a YA main character or frequently on high school reading list (3) has a similar content of banned books but with the addition of some books that to some may just be traumatizing such as The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline Cooney and Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl.

We know these stories, fiction or non-fiction, can improve young people’s mental health by knowing they are not alone with their feelings or questions, and that introducing someone to a different culture and mindset will increase communication, open-mindedness and reduce violence. I can understand not wanting to children exposed to things too early, but for most and as with my parents, what was seen as too old for me was not accurate and more of a personal desire. We must also remember that children are stronger than we think and children who grow without a diverse experiences will lose out not only because they will have less in life to enjoy but that as they interact with those who are different they have shown to be afraid and become violent.

(1)    https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-everyone-should-read-harry-potter/

(2)    http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/childrensbooks

(3)    http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/YAbooks

Oooooo THE HORROR

This week is apparently Banned Books Weeks and this year, the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (pretty much the point of books in MY opinion) released the top 11 books so far calculated as the most banned in 2018. (1) (2)

George by Alex Gino*

A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Jill Twiss, illustrated by EG Keller*

Captain Underpants series, written and illustrated by Dan Pilkey*

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Drama, written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier*

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki

Skippyjon Jones series, written and illustrated by Judy Schachner

The Absolutely True diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Kristyna Litten*

Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan*

It’s important to note that six of the eleven books (asterisked above) were challenged or banned because of LGBTQIA+ content. As books are meant to open your mind and bring you connection, the hateful reasons behind banning books remind us why PRIDE and representation are so important. This is especially true when looking at the statistics from the Trevor Project, that have found that LGB youth contemplate suicide 3x the rate of heterosexual youth and are 5x as likely to attempt. (3)

Going more off the serious side I cannot understand how a same-sex couple was the only reason listed as people’s issue with Captain Underpants. Seriously? I always thought they were stupid so I stopped trying to read them after a few but with everything else I remember finding (now the word I would use) distasteful, it was not any non-heterosexual relationships. What complete horsecrap.

(1)    https://bannedbooksweek.org/11-challenged-and-banned-books/

(2)    https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/22/us/banned-books-week-2019-trnd/index.html

(3)    https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/preventing-suicide/facts-about-suicide/