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On Censorship: A Public Librarian Examines Cancel Culture in the Us

by James Larue

Censorship, libraries, and public life

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AlbakiReads Editorial

Censorship, libraries, and public life

Drawing on James LaRue’s experience as a public librarian and in library freedom organizations, this book examines efforts to remove or restrict access to ideas in American public and educational spaces. It places those disputes within a broader discussion of libraries’ roles in their communities and the relationship between free expression and democracy. Alongside considering the consequences of censorship and “cancel culture,” LaRue outlines actions citizens can take in response to book-banning efforts. The book connects individual challenges to access with questions about the responsibilities and freedoms of shared civic institutions.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Readers interested in censorship and book challenges in the United States
  • Those exploring the role of public and school libraries in community life
  • Readers seeking a discussion of free expression and civic action

Themes

Censorship and book banningLibraries and communityFree expressionDemocracy and civic action

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Book overview

"An insightful and humorous look into the complex issues of censorship, Jamie LaRue's book is at times intellectually and emotionally challenging--like all of the best books should be." --R. Alan Brooks, Comics Creator and Professor, Professor of Graphic Narrative, Regis University In America today, more books are being banned than ever before. This censorship is part of a larger assault on such American institutions as schools, public libraries, and universities. In On Censorship: A Public Librarian Examines Cancel Culture in the US, respected long-time public librarian James LaRue issues a balanced and reasonable call to action for all citizens. LaRue, who served as director of the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom and executive director of the Freedom to Read Foundation, highlights the dangers of book banning and censorship in our public and educational spaces. Synthesizing his more than twenty-five years of experience on the front lines of these issues, he takes the reader through attempts he encountered to remove or restrict access to ideas, while placing the debate in the greater context about the role of libraries and free expression in a democratic society. LaRue covers topics such as:
  • The role of the library in American culture and community
  • The consequences of cancel culture
  • Seven things citizens can do to quell book banning and censorship attempts
By examining past efforts at censorship and their dangerous impacts, LaRue asks the reader to reflect on how those times are not so different from today. This book is essential reading for all those who believe in free expression, who support libraries, and who cherish the central freedoms that American democracy represents.
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