Guerrilla tactics for the library culture wars
Commentary by Doreen Beagan
In its February 1993 issue, The Interim carried a story by Anneliese Steden who grew up in post-war Germany when poverty made access to books very difficult. She was delighted that in Canada her children had ready access to free reading material. "To me the library was a place of quiet dignity, of learning, of intellectual stimulation, of knowledge and of elevation." she wrote. Then came the day when, despite objections, "Madonna's book Sex moved into our public library – hard on the heels of White Ribbon Against Pornography week." This convinced her that the library was no longer a safe place to send her children.
Such experiences are not isolated. Nevertheless, it may be possible to turn setbacks into opportunities. Using time-tested "guerrilla tactics," you can make the policies and guidelines work for you, just as others use them to get materials accepted that offend you.
So how do concerned citizens influence what is placed on the shelves of public libraries? According to Pictou-Antigonish (N.S.) regional library system chief librarian Eric Stackhouse, suggestions from the public are welcome. Simply use the in-library request forms or write a note with a subject request.
Libraries try to reflect the community, its interests and its standards. Draw attention to a need, as the Afro-Canadian community did when they felt the need for more materials depicting their history and contributions to Canada. "They raised the money, we selected the books," Stackhouse explained. Another way is to bring in materials to be reviewed for possible inclusion. Ensure that a book is popular. Get people to request that it be stocked, and, after it's on the shelf, encourage them to borrow it. Try to anticipate, create, or participate in a trend.
Keep offering materials, asking, in the nicest and most co-operative way, what would make them acceptable. Make it hard for the committee to turn you down. Be friendly, but persistent.
Getting even a single book or video on the shelves, is a big success, and lays the foundation for further acceptances.
Finally, it may also be helpful to become familiar with library guidelines and use their complaint procedures. For example, if your donation is rejected, ask for reasons. Or ask that an unwelcome acquisition be reconsidered, for example, a decision to include immoral or unsavoury materials. Forms are usually available.
If these steps fail, formal complaints can be brought to the library board of directors.
In Nova Scotia, for instance, by provincial legislation, a board of directors, mostly appointed by the provincial government and the municipality, establishes general policy for the operation of the library. The board also sets the policy guidelines for donations and purchases. Stackhouse admitted that the guidelines sometimes require him to stock materials that make him personally uncomfortable. "Sometimes I have to fight to keep things on the shelf; sometimes I have to fight to keep them off. I don't always win."
Before approaching the board, pay particular attention to the Statement on Intellectual Freedom, which contains expressions that give activist groups leverage to insist that the public libraries carry materials promoting abortion, euthanasia, paganism and witchcraft, gay rights, and other trends once considered beyond the pale.
So these same expressions point the way to successful pro-life lobbying.
Words like freedoms, access, diversity, empower demand that desirable materials be made available. Note its statement that, "we do not discriminate against religions." The Statement on Intellectual Freedom can be an asset.
For pro-life people who already use the libraries, these suggestions are opportunities. Become involved with your public library. Perhaps, in connection with the annual "Freedom to Read" week, scheduled for Feb. 24 – March 3, 2002, provincial and municipal officials could be approached about new people for decision-making boards and committees.
If your efforts are successful, be sure to get the word out, to encourage and instruct others who may be fighting similar battles.
Statement of Intellectual Freedom
Libraries and their employees are expected to support this statement. The following excerpt is taken from the 1994 version. It deserves a careful reading.
All persons in Canada have the fundamental right, as embodied in the nation's Bill of Rights and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, to have access to all expressions of knowledge, creativity and intellectual activity, and to express their thoughts publicly. This right to intellectual freedom, under the law, is essential to the health and development of Canadian society. Libraries have a basic responsibility for the development and maintenance of intellectual freedom. It is the responsibility of libraries to guarantee and facilitate access to all expressions of knowledge and intellectual activity, including those which some elements of society may consider to be unconventional, unpopular or unacceptable. To this end, libraries shall acquire and make available the widest variety of materials.
