My local library in Springfield pulled a book I donated about protest movements

I gave them a copy of 'Voices from the Square' last month, a collection of essays from the 2011 protests. The head librarian told me it was 'too politically charged' for the general collection and would be 'archived'. I used to believe public libraries were the last bastions of open information. Now I see they can be gatekeepers too. Has anyone else had a book or material quietly removed like this?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_eva3mo ago

That's wild they used the term 'archived'. Did the librarian explain what that actually means in their system? Like, is it in a back room no one can access, or is it just not on the main shelf? It feels like a way to hide something without saying they're removing it.

miller.avery3mo ago

Ugh, that's so shady. @the_eva you're totally right, it feels like a sneaky way to pull a book without saying they're banning it. My local library archives stuff into a storage room you need special permission to enter, so it's basically gone for most people. They make it sound so official but it's just hiding things.

phoenix_campbell8819d ago

Used to think libraries were totally neutral spaces too but this kind of stuff proves they have their own fears and biases just like everything else. Archiving something basically means it's hidden away where most people won't ever find it, which defeats the whole purpose of a library. It's upsetting to realize these places can quietly decide what ideas you're allowed to see.