The Role of the Library: Library as a reflection of the community

Presenter: Eric Riley

Where we’re going… Who defines community?

In depth: Citizens for Community Values Community analysis & Invisible populations

Gay and Lesbian populations (rurally) Non-traditional religions

Defining Community Is it geographically bound? Where does a community begin and end? Who is a member of the community?

Most importantly: Who decides these answers?

CCPL vs. CCV

The Players Clermont County Public Library Citizens for Community Values, et al.

American Family Association of Ohio Christian Coalition of Clermont County

People for the American Way The Advocate

CCPL vs. CCV

Where is Clermont County?

Photo from Corbis

Why Do I Care?

Photo from M

apquest

The Story Late 1994 –early 1995 Union Township branch of CCPL purchases

“The Advocate” subscription Phil Burress head of CCV, and CCPL trustee

initiates large scale media challenge.

Tasty Quote from Phil Burress

“Right to read? That’s a bunch of hogwash. You don’t have the right to read anything you want. We have to protect each other from dangerous material.”

The Outcome The periodical was maintained Burress remained a trustee for a few years

CCPL and Advocate Today

2 of the 10 libraries in CCPL subscribe. They are the two closest to the Cincinnati city limits.

Union Township GoshenPhoto from Mapquest

Other GLBT literature Wide variety of viewpoints

Bethel Branch as example telnet://lincc.clermont.lib.oh.us/

Question: Does your library carry these titles? On Wings Like Eagles Gay Rights or Wrongs?

Community Analysis Potential line of defense when challenged Typical methods

Statistical information (census, etc.) Examining community literature Observing the community Original research (surveys, polls, etc.)

Invisible CommunitiesGroups of people who have no observable social

structures or literature, and maintain secrecy regarding their participation in the group.

Examples: GLBT populations in rural areas Non-traditional religious practitioners

Common Reasons Physical Safety Freedom from persecution Personal privacy Religious Belief

GLBT Populations Little comprehensive statistical information

Kinsey 1948: 10% is most cited

Most additional information on Urbanites Overlooked Opinions: “Of all lesbians and gay

men, 45.1% and 52.7% live in urban areas, respectively, while 33.1% and 31.7% live in the suburbs, respectively.”

Where are the rurals? Note: 2000 Census

Books challenged: GLBT Of the 1323 titles in Banned Books…

54 were GLBT specific challenges

Of the top 100 challenged books… 13 challenged for GLBT content

5 of 13 for broader sexually oriented material where GLBT content was addressed

Interpretation of LBR http://www.ala.org/alaorg/oif/acc_gend.html Article II interpretation

“Library services, materials, and programs representing diverse points of view on gender or sexual orientation should be considered for purchase and inclusion in library collections and programs.” (emph. mine)

Non-traditional religions Wicca, etc. Scientology Baha’i Others…

Wicca statistics Most religious statistics involve buildings

Wicca has no official churches Many Wiccan practitioners are solitary Potentially 750,000 in US

http://www.religioustolerance.org/wic_nbr.htm

General Wiccan Principles Four Powers in Gardnerian Tradition

Power to Dare Power to Will Power to Know Power to Keep Silent

Information Need

Invisible Community

Books challenged: “Witchcraft” Of the top 100 challenged books…

9 “promoted witchcraft” 7 are fiction with witches portrayed favorably 2 are nonfiction

Final thoughts on community The ALA defines community very broadly Not everyone follows every ALA idea Community values groups tend to define

community more specifically

Final thoughts on community Certain populations are statistically invisible Just because they aren’t visible doesn’t mean

they don’t exist

Collection development is not just pro, but also con. Don’t discount dissenting opinions.

Bibliography: http://students.washington.edu/eriley/Bibliography.pdf