religion and libraries: best practices

63
Religion and Libraries: Best Practices Indiana State Library Professional Development Office

Upload: indiana-state-library

Post on 15-Jul-2015

74 views

Category:

Education


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Religion and Libraries: Best PracticesIndiana State Library

Professional Development Office

Suzanne [email protected]

Indiana State Library

Professional Development Office

I am not a lawyerAnd I never play one in the library!

A mandatory caveat

But who am I?Suzanne Walker

[email protected]

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

American Library Association’sLibrary Bill of Rights Overview and Interpretations

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.

Interpretation of Article IV Libraries should support groups who protect

first amendment rights.

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

Policies

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

Some Ideas for Purchasing

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 Books Genreflecting - 2013 What Do I Read Next? - 2014 Fiction Catalog

Readers’ Advisory Websites GoodReads Amazon for Reviews

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

RA E-Resources Fiction-L – Listserv through Morton Grove

(IL) Public Library NoveList NoveList Plus

Publications for Reviews Publisher’s Weekly Kirkus Booklist

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 this be considered advocacy?

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

Images are strong.

What if you are label happy?

What if you are label happy?

What if you are label happy?

Might consider going this route…

More on the Label Debate http://www.lrs.org/documents/field_stats/Chri

stian_Fiction_Labels.pdf

Religion is a hot button issue

This actual meeting today…

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.

Questions?

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/

Thank YouSuzanne Walker

Indiana State Library

Professional Development Office

[email protected]

317.232.3718