Tuesday Slice: The librarians

 

It's the third night of our state library conference.   Over a hundred librarians are gathered in a large ballroom-turned-assembly.  There's popcorn in paper bags and flavored water.  Usually night activities at the conference are lighter fare like illustrator sketch-offs, but tonight the mood is more somber.

We are there to see a screening of the documentary, "The Librarians".

Texas seems to be an incubator for book-banning; some reports have this state placing second only to Florida in the number of challenges.  Librarians are often the target, both professionally and personally-- dangerously so.  The documentary turns the lens on several of those librarians, as well as exposing the money and politics backing the organized efforts to censor materials. 

There is resistance.  Groups such as the Texas FReadom Fighters and Texas Freedom to Read Project highlight the positive impact libraries make every day and support the right to access materials.  There is some good news, too: we learned that every book challenge that has made it to the courts has been ruled in favor of intellectual freedom.

Librarians protect the right to access materials; that right is codified in law.  That access is open to all, regardless of political or religious leanings.  

Librarians are protecting your right to read.  During this National Library Week, visit a library.  Give the workers behind the circulation desk and in the stacks a smile and knowing nod.  You may not know what battles they may be fighting on your behalf.

And if a screening of "The Librarians" opens near you, buy a ticket.