A Follow-Up To Operation Library

By Ken Sivulich

“Operation Library,” an article published in an earlier edition of the Resource Handbook, was written with the intent to familiarize people with ways in which books on Orthodoxy could be placed in public and college libraries. We thought this would be easier to accomplish than it turned out to be in some areas where libraries were reluctant to accept the offered materials. This article will provide some techniques to use when a library refuses to accept Orthodox material or does not respond to an offer of gift books.
First of all, we need to look at the two kinds of libraries involved—the public or community library and the college or academic library. Each has its clientele and its reason for being. The public library’s population to be served is every age level and every interest represented in a given geographic area, while the college library’s population served is normally only the college’s faculty, staff, and students. Thus the role of the public library is usually broader than that of the college library whose collection tends to center around the academic program being offered.

Library “Bill of Rights”

Usually, each library will be a subscriber to a library philosophy referred to as the “Library Bill of Rights” (a copy of which is appended to this article.) In essence these documents state that libraries are obligated to include materials in their collections “...for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community. . . presenting all points of view on current and historical issues….” and that “materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.” (excerpts from “Library Bill of Rights.”)

In short the library, particularly the public library but usually also the college library, is obligated to accept Orthodox materials for the collection about other denominations and religions. To exclude Orthodox material would represent bias, and policies mentioned above categorically reject such bias.

If Orthodox Books Are Not Accepted

If a library refuses to accept Orthodox material, the librarian, preferably the head librarian or director, should be told that to do so is contrary to the American Library Association’s “Library Bill of Rights.” If the material is still not accepted, a letter stating this same message and urging that the material be accepted and added to the collection should be sent to the librarian in charge, also indicating that the issue will be pursued further if not resolved at that level.

If necessary, the board of directors of the public library, or the funding body if the library has no board, or the college administration in the case of a college library, should be contacted by mail, outlining the situation and referring to the “Library Bill of Rights.” Normally this last step will not be necessary, and if it is, it will certainly bring about the desired result. No library wants to be criticized as being a censor, and exclusion of material is one of the worst forms of censorship!

A word of caution, however. Many libraries may not have room for as many books on Orthodoxy as you might wish to see in the collection. Determining the number of items on any subject is the right of the library so long as this is done on some kind of logical, rational basis. In other words, if Orthodox books are placed in the library collection in proportion to the other religious books and the size of the local Orthodox population, that’s all we really can expect. Over some period of time perhaps other titles may be added.

So, visit your public or college library today to determine what Orthodox materials are represented. Then begin your campaign either to initiate or to add to this part of the collection!

LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS

The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.

1. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

2. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

3. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

4. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.

5. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.

6. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

Adopted June 18, 1948. Amended February 2, 1961, June 27, 1967, and January 23, 1980, by the ALA Council.

The continuous review of library materials is necessary as a means of maintaining an active library collection of current interest to users. In the process, materials may be added and physically deteriorated or obsolete materials may be replaced or removed in accordance with the collection maintenance policy of a given library and the needs of the community it serves. Continued evaluation is closely related to the goals and responsibilities of libraries and is a valuable tool of collection development. This procedure is not to be used as a convenient means to remove materials presumed to be controversial or disapproved by segments of the community. Such abuse of the evaluation function violates the principles of intellectual freedom and is in opposition to the preamble and articles 1 and 2 of the Library Bill of Rights, which state:

The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.

1. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

2. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

The American Library Association opposes such “silent censorship” and strongly urges that libraries adopt guidelines setting forth the positive purposes and principles of evaluation of materials in library collections.

Adopted February 2, 1973; amended July 1, 1981, by the ALA Council.