As libraries across then nation face ever growing pressure to remove books from their shelves, censor materials and cancel events, staff at these public institutions are taking the brunt of the stress.
“I have strong concerns about librarian burnout,” a librarian in Greater Boston, who asked to remain anonymous in order to speak freely, told the Sampan. “I personally know of many librarians who are considering or have left the profession and moved on to corporate … or … retail positions as a direct result of book challenges and community push-back.”
The librarian gave Sampan an inside look at what happens when a book ban is requested and how it burdens local libraries, the types of materials that are most often protested and how the problem is one in liberal and conservative areas, including in Massachusetts, where last year 63 books were targeted.
“I have concerns that threats to libraries’ independence and freedom to read, or at least freedom to offer anything to read, is becoming a universal problem,” said the librarian. “I think to understand what book bans really mean to libraries and the threat it poses to the freedom to read in this country, we should also understand what it means for a book to be banned from a library. It is an extraneous process that does not happen overnight.”
It all starts with a challenge, sometimes from someone not even living in the library’s district. Challenges require librarians, the library director, and in some cases the library board, to reconsider the library material and if it fits within the library’s selection criteria found in the collection development policy. From there, library professionals must decide if including the book or other material actually violates the collection development policy.
All public libraries in America post or make available their policies regarding collection development and they typically have an addendum that highlights the book challenging process, according to the librarian.
“Books are rarely banned; they are more often challenged,” the librarian said. “The problem often lies, however, in programs or services that are being challenged as they are not as protected by policy and procedure as library collections are.”
Material related to same-sex relationships and gender identity, as well as race, are often targets for protests, bans, and challenges.
“Librarians are honestly bracing themselves for the 2024 election. A lot of us fear that the climate will be like 2016 but worse,” said the librarian. “Children’s librarians and school librarians are the direct target – some even being called pedophiles or groomers because of book displays or collections within the library.”
These attempts to take materials off the shelves and cancel programming has changed the profession significantly, the librarian said, noting that now library staff often get direct training regarding book challenges and libraries get First Amendment audits.
“We spend a significant chunk of our work time preparing for the worst. Especially with the idea of ‘it can happen anywhere,’” said the librarian. “Challenges are often at the forefront of our minds and dominate lectures, conferences, and trainings.”
“A lot of people are unaware of library policies and how we govern ourselves in terms of material selection. Librarians try to leave their entire lives and biases at the door and only focus on the community at hand when making decisions.”
