The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom has a heat map of the United States that at first glance appears like the state-by-state map Americans grew so accustomed to during the Covid pandemic. Texas and Florida are dark maroon, while many other states are hot orange. Massachusetts is a tad lighter, but still fiery.

The map, however, is not warning of the danger of disease spread. It’s warning of something just as perilous to Democracy: attempts to curb free speech and quash freedom of thought. The map lists each state according to challenges to books at libraries and other censorship.

According to the association, people tried to get a total of 9,021 books censored last year, 4,240 of which were unique titles, at public schools and libraries across the country. In Massachusetts, 63 books were challenged. In what was likely the most high profile attempt, a plain-clothes police officer in Great Barrington reportedly searched a middle school library for a book, “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe, after a single complaint about it. But it’s not just books that are being targeted at libraries. At a photography exhibit reception this spring by photographer Skip Schiel, titled “The Ongoing and Relentless Nakba, the Palestinian Catastrophe of 1948 to the Present,” protesters in the city otherwise known as being highly politically liberal, overwhelmed the event, preventing it from being held. A box truck circled around the library, with the faces and names of Newton’s mayor and library director displayed on the side, defaming both. Palestinian American speakers at the reception were shouted down, and called “terrorist,” “rapist” and “anti-Semite.”

To find out more about the increasing pressure our public libraries are facing, Sampan spoke with Noelle Boc, president of the Massachusetts Library Association:

Sampan: When people think of attempts to ban books or interfere in the choices of library offerings and events, I think many people incorrectly perceive the problem as only one in heavily conservative areas. But we saw incidents in areas in Massachusetts commonly perceived as “liberal” recently… Do you have concerns threats to libraries’ independence is becoming a universal problem?

Boc: It’s not a concern that it is becoming a universal problem; it is a universal problem. Book challenges are happening in record numbers in Massachusetts and it shows no signs of slowing down. There has also been push back against programs, displays, and policies at libraries across the commonwealth and the country.

Sampan: What topics are most likely to become the target of censorship?

Boc: The most common topics to draw attempts at censorship are anything involving sexuality, gender and the LBGTQ+ community, as well as materials that address racial issues. Often if the author is LBGTQ+ or black or brown, that may also draw fire. We’ve also seen a rise in anti-semitic attacks in the state.

Sampan: Have you heard of anti-semitic incidents in libraries in Massachusetts, or are you talking more generally?

Boc: Just in general in regards to the anti-semitic attacks. I have not heard specifically from any libraries about that (although I wouldn’t be surprised if there was some).

Sampan: How has this phenomena changed the role of the librarian and library staff? How are regular staff supposed to deal with such calls for the banning of books or canceling of events? Do you fear directors will avoid books and events just to avoid dealing with protest?

Boc: Intellectual freedom is the right of every individual to both seek and receive information from varied points of view without restriction. This is the hallmark of what libraries do. It is the soul of our mission.
Challenges to materials, programs, and policies at the library are not new, but they are at an all time high.
Public libraries in Massachusetts are required to have a collection development policy, which includes a reconsideration of materials process; this helps give structure and support to libraries navigating any materials challenges. There is current legislation being worked on addressing protecting materials in our school libraries.

Libraries are doing their best to prepare their staffs for the possibilities of challenges of all kinds. Make no mistake; library workers are rock stars. It can be extremely stressful and exhausting dealing with people who are looking to ban an item or stop an event they don’t agree with from happening. Often there are threats made against staff or against the library, which take a physical and emotional toll on the well-being of library workers. Library directors spend time preparing their staff via de-escalation training, providing talking points, and creating a clear path for staff to follow in the event of a situation becoming a bigger issue. Other state library agencies, like the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) and the Massachusetts Library System (MLS), also provide support to libraries and their staffs.

And, of course, there is also our own Intellectual Freedom/Social Responsibilities Committee at the Massachusetts Library Association that is responding to libraries with their challenges. They work with the American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom, as well. Library directors make the best choices they can for their own libraries and communities, while still standing up for intellectual freedom.

Sampan: How would you respond to people who say they are protecting children or protecting people from being offended when they object to some materials or events?

Boc: People have a right to believe what they want to believe and to make choices in regards to their own consumption of books, movies, programming, and so forth. However, no one has the right to impose their own beliefs upon anyone else. If someone doesn’t like a particular book, then they don’t have to read it. But that doesn’t mean they get to control who else gets to read it. A parent has the right to oversee their own child’s reading choices, but they can’t choose for every other child. Intellectual freedom applies to us all.

Sampan: What about people who say there are many other outlets to go and buy a book or see an event other than a library?

Boc: Accessibility is extremely important to libraries. Not everyone has the opportunity or means to buy a book or go see an event elsewhere, which is why public libraries are so important to a community. Representation is also vitally important. Everyone should be able to come into a library and see themselves represented and welcome, whether that be through the available materials, the displays, or the programming.

No one is forcing a book on someone. No one is forcing someone to attend a program. Those are choices. If you don’t like the program, don’t come to it. If you don’t like the book, don’t check it out. Very simple. But you don’t get to take that choice to attend that program or read that book from someone else.