What Do Most Americans Have in Common with ALA?
PrintThe American Library Association has long been at the forefront of efforts to defend the freedom to read and to resist censorship attempts. Results of a recent Harris Poll indicate that most Americans share those sentiments.
A majority (56%) of 2,379 adult respondents surveyed early this spring think no books should be banned completely, while just 18% say there are books that should be; 26% are not sure. The older and less-educated people are, the more likely they were to say that there are some books that should be banned completely.
Opinions on censorship seem linked to political philosophy: Almost three quarters of those identifying as liberals (73%) say no books should be banned, compared to six in 10 moderates (60%). Just two in five conservatives (41%) oppose any book censorship.
Respondents were somewhat less keen on unfettered access when it comes to making materials available to children in school libraries. Strong majorities say that school libraries should offer the Bible (83%) and books that discuss evolution (76%). While majorities favor children’s access to other religious texts such as the Torah and the Talmud (59%) and the Qur’an (57%), approximately one quarter say they should not be available (24% and 28%, respectively) in school libraries. Respondents split on books with references to sex (48% say they should be available, 45% say they shouldn’t) and violence (44% favor access, 48% oppose it), but a strong majority (62%) say that school libraries should not offer books with explicit language.
Despite Americans’ self-professed anticensorship views, incidents in which individuals and groups seek to block access to materials in U.S. libraries, classrooms, and public venues occur with distressing frequency. American Libraries’ new Censorship Watch blog will alert readers to such efforts, whether they’re challenges to perennially controversial titles like To Kill A Mockingbird and Catcher in the Rye—both on ALA’s list of the 10 most frequently challenged books of 2010—or efforts to restrict individuals’ online browsing.
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“I just wanted to find a place to feel safe. It is tough being a woman out there. Sometimes I read romance novels. Because they are telling stories about love and being wanted.”
Hope Pitts, 22, unemployed and homeless, on why she comes to the Central branch of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jan. 11.
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Comments
I am one of those people who
I am one of those people who feel that some books should be banned for children. I could go on and on about how schools use their position to teach things to students that they are just to young to know. Preserving innocence is important for them to have a healthy childhood.
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Censorship of religious texts
The problem is, what gets banned? When my daughter was in 8th grade, the school librarian would not let her check out “I know why the caged bird sings” because of the rape references. I was appalled. It’s my choice to decide that, not the librarian.
Even worse is that while 83% of respondents want the Bible (presumably for the Christian New Testament content), fully one quarter of the respondents want to ban the Jewish sacred texts (Torah and Talmud) and the Quran. That is censorship of the most vicious kind and does not belong in today’s world.
Most Oppose Explicit Books in Public Schools Says Harris Poll
Gordon Flagg, I am happy to see the ALA finally addressing the Harris poll. I see it somewhat differently than you do, however, and I ask you to see “Most Oppose Explicit Books in Public Schools Says Harris Poll” for my view.
Basically, since no books have been banned in the USA for about half a century, the most interesting and useful part of the poll is that most people oppose explicit books in public schools. As you say, “Respondents were somewhat less keen on unfettered access when it comes to making materials available to children in school libraries. …. [A] strong majority (62%) say that school libraries should not offer books with explicit language.”
That’s the real takeaway of the poll. We already know people oppose banning books—that’s why there’s been no book banning in the USA for about half a century. The new material revealed by the poll is that most people do not want explicit books in public schools. That is highly relevant as the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom would have people believe they are censors for believing that. The nation comprises 62% censors, if the OIF was to be believed.
When I advise people who ask me about explicit books in public schools, I advise them the Harris poll shows most people agree with them, and that may indicate community standards. I give them a short URL to emphasize the point: tinyurl.com/MostOpposeExplicitBooks.
I am happy you mentioned that most oppose explicit books in schools. Too bad the OIF will continue to oppose communities trying to implement the common sense/community standard expressed in the Harris poll. I will not only advise people of the Harris poll, but now I’ll point to your article to show the ALA is aware that most people oppose explicit books in public schools. Yet the OIF will continue to oppose communities. I think people should know that when considering how much weight to give to the ALA’s censorship claims.
Thank you very much.