religion and libraries: best practices
Post on 15-Jul-2015
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But who am I?Suzanne Walker
suwalker@library.in.gov
Professional Development SupervisorIndiana State Library
What is Religion? the service and worship of God or the
supernatural a personal set or institutionalized system of
religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to
with ardor and faith
Merriam Webster
What is Religion? It includes formal organized systems of
belief and practice and informal individual spiritualities. It also refers to adherents of older religions (e.g., the major world religions), newer religions (e.g., those designated cults by some) and no religion (e.g., agnostics and atheists). Religion in American Libraries – Q and A
Guides for Collecting Intellectual Freedom is basis for collecting
religious materials The Library Bill of Rights can give guidance
Intellectual Freedom“A democratic society operates best when information flows freely and is freely available, and it is the library’s unique responsibility to provide open and unfettered access to that information.”
Evelyn Shaevel, et alALA Intellectual Freedom Manual
Evolving Definitions "Intellectual Freedom is the right of every individual
to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction. It provides for free access to all expressions of ideas through which any and all sides of a question, cause, or movement may be explored. Intellectual freedom encompasses the freedom to hold, receive, and disseminate ideas.“ American Library Association.
http://www.ala.org/offices/oif/basics/ifcensorshipqanda
Historical Foundation Bill of Rights, Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Freedom of Inquiry The freedom to ask any question The freedom to receive a complete, and
impartial answer Equality of access
Background on the LBoR Written by Forrest Spalding in 1938; adopted
by ALA in 1939 Amended in 1961, 1967, 1980, and 1996 Six amendments and interpretations provided
by ALA and ALA’s Office of Intellectual Freedom
Article I Books and other library resources should be
provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
Interpretations to Article I All groups and viewpoints in the community
should be represented in the library’s collection
Dislike of author or group is not enough to keep material out of the library
Disbelief of a religion is not enough to keep material out of a library
Article II Libraries should provide materials and
information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
Interpretations to Article II A good library should have something in it to
offend everyone Need materials that explain both sides to
current issues “Toleration is meaningless without tolerance
for what some may consider detestable.” - ALA
Article III Libraries should challenge censorship in the
fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
Interpretations to Article III Collection development policy important
defense to challenges to materials Know procedures when materials are
challenged An item being challenged should remain on
the shelves and be available for use until a formal hearing
Article IV Libraries should cooperate with all persons
and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
Article V A person’s right to use a library should not be
denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
Interpretations to Article V Library cannot assume role of parent or
guardian (In Loco Parentis) Only parents can make decisions on what
their children – and only their children – can check out of the library
Libraries can provide review materials for parents to make informed decisions
People with different religious views must be allowed access to the library.
Article VI Libraries which make exhibit spaces and
meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.
Interpretations to Article VI Bulletin boards and display cases fall under
exhibit spaces Public space/meeting room policy should be
written and approved by the library board
Meeting Spaces Libraries can set policies regarding the use of
meeting rooms. If a library's meeting rooms are open to the public
for a wide range of purposes, use restrictions should generally be limited to time, place, and manner restrictions.
Can create policies that will prevent groups from abusing the meeting room privileges Policies would have to be enforced equally among all
groups that use the room, no matter what the subject matter.
Can I Collect Religious Items? Yes. In Indiana about 40% of our population
practices a religion. We should collect the materials that our
public requests, or at least make those items available.
Why? Because we have a professional duty to do so. Religionatlas.org / ALA Religion Q and A
More about Collections… Libraries should strive to be more inclusive
than exclusive Your collection should reflect the entirety of
your community See the Library Bill of Rights You want to provide access without appearing
to endorse any particular faith over another
Who is in my community? http://www.thearda.com/ http://www.religionatlas.org/
More good stuff… ALA Religion Q and A http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/state
mentspols/otherpolicies/religionqanda
Collection Challenges Clear collection guidelines Standard challenge form Review & Appeal Procedures Final Decision
Wise Words Applying the principles and guidelines in [the
Intellectual Freedom] manual cannot ensure that the rights of librarians and users will never be challenged or that difficulties will not arise. But adhering to these principles in every library is absolutely essential if librarians and users are to enjoy the full benefit of freedom of expression under the First Amendment.
Judith F. Krug, Director (late)Office for Intellectual Freedom
Book Guides The Librarian's Guide to Developing
Christian Fiction Collections for ChildrenBy Barbara J. Walker
More religions… http://www.islamicfictionbooks.com/ http://www.jewishbookcouncil.org/ http://www.llewellyn.com/ http://catholicfiction.net/ http://buddhistfictionblog.wordpress.com/ http://mldb.byu.edu/A%20Believing%20People/Table%20of%20Contents.htm#fiction
Other libraries… Provo City Library, Provo, Utah Charlotte Mecklenburg, Charlotte, NC Williamsburg Regional Library, VA Nashville Public Library, Nashville, TN
Readers’ Advisory Websites Allreaders.com Gnooks.com Librarything.com Readalike.org Reader’s Robot - http://tnrdlib.bc.ca/rr.html Whichbook.net http://www.jackflannel.org/ra.html
What about my labels? “Libraries do not advocate the ideas found in
their collections or in resources accessible through the library.”
- ALA Labels and Rating System
What about my labels? Could it be considered to be prejudicial
(trying to prejudice the patron a certain way)?
Why could this be a concern? “ Let's say that you decide to use Christian
fiction labels. In the interest of balance, would you need to create labels for Jewish, Islamic, or Buddhist fiction?...Some people might say that the act of limiting your religious genre labels to Christian implies that only Christian fiction is worth identifying, thus giving the appearance of subtle approval or endorsement of that religion from the library.”
Field Initiated Studies, Christian Fiction Labels - March 2005
Libraries and Religion… Our LSTA Digitization grants have been used
to form partnerships with religious organizations to digitize collections that are historic in nature.
Libraries and Religion… For example, Indiana State University
partnered with the Sisters of Providence of Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods to digitize Civil War materials from their archives.
Another example is a partnership we are working on with the Mennonite community to help them digitize their history as it relates to Goshen and Indiana.
Libraries and Religion… Spaces – Many times churches have great
meeting spaces and will very often let your library borrow their space for a program that you offer that aligns with their mission
Libraries and Religion… Reading Camp held in Church basement
when library was under construction Suicide Prevention Community Meeting /
Partnership with School System, Public Library, and Church
Indiana Youth Institute holds Youth Worker Cafés in some churches that librarians are invited to attend
Bottom Line: Yes. Religion can be in the library. Fair and balanced collections. Perhaps in partnerships. Based on your particular community.
Resources ALA
www.ala.org
Library Bill of Rights http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oif/statementspols
/statementsif/librarybillrights.cfm
Interpretations to the Library Bill of Rights http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oif/statementspols
/statementsif/interpretations/Default675.cfm
http://www.privacyrevolution.org
Resources http://www.lrs.org/documents/field_stats/Christian_
Fiction_Labels.pdf http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/statementsp
ols/otherpolicies/religionqanda http://www.thearda.com/ http://www.religionatlas.org/
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