We Hanoverians are rightly proud of our public libraries. Our libraries provide access to a wide range of books, reading materials, and activities that promote literacy and life-long reading. But our libraries are more than that–they provide desperately needed high-speed internet services, research assistance, educational programming, and meeting venues for citizens, all free of charge. Our librarians are trained professionals who render a treasured public service.
Of course, there is, and should be, a process for citizens to question and provide feedback on books and reading materials, and other library services; however, what’s happening now in Hanover County goes above and beyond that. Some right-wing extremists have manufactured a culture war on books and reliable information to promote their political agenda, in part to distract from other policy positions that are not popular with voters. They propose massive book banning, especially books by and about our Black and LGBTQIA citizens, and some even advocate for the closure of our libraries as we know them. They stoke fear with outlandish claims about the intent and impact of books and the character and integrity of librarians. They scare concerned parents with warped fantasies and bizarre conspiracy theories that would be horrific if true, but which have no basis in reality. They threaten librarians’ jobs and personal safety, even while the librarians are working to adhere to their code of professional ethics.
Although it is a minority who are challenging our libraries’ integrity, they seek to enact state-sponsored censorship of ideas, thus limiting the First Amendment freedoms and rights of the readers, writers, library professionals, and all Hanover citizens. They fail to understand that one gift of reading widely is to gain education and understanding about our world and the world around us, including about those whose lives are different from our own. Librarians enrich minds and save lives by vetting books, reading materials, and media that are appropriate and needed for our community. Citizens then choose what to read, and if they have children, they may choose what they want their children to read. We must trust our librarians and we must trust our fellow citizens and parents to make the choices that are right for them.
Our public libraries and librarians are under assault. Librarians in communities who successfully fought these extremist, pro-censorship forces say support from the public was essential. Join us in supporting our First Amendment freedoms and rights! Tell your elected officials why libraries are important, and what they mean to you and your family, get a library card if you don’t have one, and say a kind word to a librarian.
