In 1933, National Socialist extremists launched the “Aktion wider den undeutschen Geist,” which culminated in public book burnings aimed at purging what they deemed “un-German” ideas from German literature and culture.
These actions destroyed countless literary treasures and marked a devastating attack on intellectual freedom and the beginning of a dark time in European history. Growing up in Germany during the Cold War era, my formative years were shaped by teachings in school to prevent the dangers of fascist extremism from resurfacing.
Fast forward to America’s book banning culture today, we risk raising a generation ill-equipped to grapple with the complexities of our world and vulnerable to the very ideologies America once fought to defeat. School boards and library committees are increasingly giving in to pressure from extremist minorities who want to remove titles that challenge their beliefs deeming them “un-American.” Never in the history of this country has intellectual freedom been more important than now.
Most of us recall a book from our childhood that opened our eyes to a new perspective, a character who made us feel understood or a story that sparked our imagination. For many, these transformative reading experiences took place within the walls of a library.
Jennifer Hooker, adult services librarian at the Mill Valley Public Library, remembers her adolescent years when she discovered her attraction to girls, but felt unable to discuss it with her parents. The early internet offered limited resources, so Hooker turned to the public library, where the online catalog and a sense of privacy allowed her to explore her sexuality without judgment.
Libraries provide a safe space for discovery, discourse and learning to reflect their community’s diverse needs and interests. Librarians champion intellectual freedom, regardless of background or beliefs.
Shellie Cocking, chief of collections at the San Francisco Public Library, is responsible for ordering books and handling book challenges. Although book bans are less prevalent in San Francisco, she observed a shift in recent years.
“The topic comes up with books written by conservative authors,” Cocking says.
When asked about potentially controversial titles, she focuses on facts providing the number of requests and holds on titles, “While we may not agree with the topic,” she says. “It’s our role to serve all of our community and not assume that we know why our patrons want to read the book.”
Challenged books offered Cocking insight into differing views within her own family, suggesting library patrons might find similar value in exploring different perspectives.
Librarians face unprecedented challenges: harassment, threats and even dismissal for standing up for the freedom to read. Yet, they persist. They uphold the fundamental principles of their profession. They understand access to information is a fundamental right. Our librarians are unsung heroes.
When we open a book, we learn about ourselves, our neighbors, our friends and, yes, even our perceived enemies. Books teach us compassion, empathy and understanding. Hooker fears that “book banning will have (and already has) so many consequences.” She worries about rising numbers of closeted LGBTQ+ individuals and misunderstandings, wondering if this signals the beginning of a societal decline.
“For those who seek to ban books for all ages, I think it’s insane to try to police someone else’s ideologies, beliefs or access to knowledge,” Hooker says. “It’s not about safety, it’s about power.”
Books encourage critical thinking. It is the dedicated librarians, like Hooker and Cocking, who help readers find the right books, fostering a lifelong love of learning. Cocking emphasizes the increasing need for librarians to act as educators, guiding their communities in navigating disagreements and fostering civil discourse on challenging topics, citing the Toronto Public Library as a leading example.
Discomfort and disagreement are often the first step toward understanding.
Support your local library. Challenge book ban and censorship attempts in your community. Douse their lighters with a firehose. Speak out against those who seek to limit access to information. Above all, celebrate the power of reading. Stand with your librarians who bravely defend our freedom to do so.
Britta Stromeyer, of Mill Valley, is a member of the National Book Critics Circle, the San Francisco Writer’s Grotto, Authors Against Book Bans and the PEN International group. She wrote the children’s book “Look at Me. Who Do You See?” Learn more at brittastromeyer.com.
This post was originally published on here
