REPORT TO BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
SUBJECT
Title
Discussion on Libraries Nationwide Proclaiming Themselves as Book Sanctuaries
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
At the September 16, 2024 regular meeting of the Board of Library Trustees, Trustee Tryforos shared during the Trustees Report that she had heard about Mount Laurel Library in New Jersey issuing a proclamation declaring itself to be a Book Sanctuary Library. The Board expressed interest in holding discussion whether the Library should consider becoming a book sanctuary.
History and Meaning of Book Sanctuaries
Libraries have historically stood as bastions of intellectual freedom, with a commitment to the First Amendment and freedom of inquiry and expression. These professional standards are encapsulated in the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read Statement of the American Library Association (ALA).
In recent years, the ALA has documented significant increases in efforts to ban and censor books in schools and libraries, particularly works by and featuring people of color and/or LGBTQ+ people. Book sanctuaries were launched by the Chicago Public Library in 2022, in response to marked increases in book ban or censorship efforts.
Establishing a book sanctuary means committing to do at least one of the following:
* Collect and protect endangered books
* Make those books broadly accessible
* Host book talks and events, including sparking conversations about diverse characters and stories
* Educate others on the history of book banning and burning
DISCUSSION
The Board will engage in discussion on whether to recommend the Library consider formally establishing itself as a book sanctuary.
The Library already currently meets more than the minimum functional criteria of a book sanctuary.
* The collection features broad and diverse artistic and informational works reflecting a variety of people and viewpoints, including books on the ALA's Most ...
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