For decades, librarians have faced intellectual freedom challenges in the form of individuals and organizations seeking to dictate the permissible bounds of library materials and library spaces on the grounds of family values or religious morality. While such challenges undoubtedly persist into the present, some more recent intellectual freedom challenges have arisen from those seeking to dictate the permissable bounds of library materials and library spaces on the grounds of social justice or anti-discrimination. These more recent challenges have arisen in the context of a global and national political realignment featuring diverse political forces which variously describe themselves as populists, economic nationalists, and alt-rightists, up to and including some avowed white supremacists and fascists.
Whether and how librarians' professional value of intellectual freedom should be applied in this context, and to these various political forces, remains a question of considerable importance. This conversation will explore key practical, philosophical, and historical considerations that can guide librarians facing today's hotly contested intellectual freedom landscape.
All ILA Noon Network webinars are free and recordings will be made available shortly after webinars. Registration for all live webinars is limited to Illinois libraries. Others may view the recordings when they are available.
Questions? Contact:
Tam Jenkins, ILA Communication and Engagement Manager
tjenkins@ila.org