Book removal requests turning libraries into cultural battlegrounds

RANDOLPH – The Lied Public Library would contain a very small collection of books if every book that offended someone was removed.

“I believe that a public library should offer resources on all subjects, even if they do not necessarily align with an individual’s beliefs,” said Librarian Peggy Leiting.

In 2023, the library circulated more than 12,000 books and 2,000 audio and e-books. Fortunately, Leiting said she hasn’t had any requests to remove books based on their content.

But that isn’t the case elsewhere. From the state’s rural corners to larger cities, school and public libraries have seen a flood of book challenges, according to public records and interviews with current and former librarians.

The influx mirrors a national trend, one often pitting parental rights and content concerns against fears of censorship and allegations of intolerance since many of the contested books deal with race or sexual orientation issues. Books with references to drug use or sex have also been challenged.

In September, the American Library Association (ALA) reported that documented censorship attempts in 2023 were on pace to exceed 2022, which set a 21-year record with 1,269 attempts. Almost every state saw an uptick in challenges in the last three years, said the ALA.

Who is challenging books in libraries is also changing. Requests made by individuals are being replaced by groups and organizations.

Members of the Protect Child Health Coalition and Nebraskans for Founders Values publicly spoke at a November Nebraska Library Commission meeting with the message that certain content should not be available through library databases and book collections.

Those against removing books often respond by pointing out that the people seeking to remove or restrict a book rarely read it in its entirety. Nationally, librarians are concerned that those submitting challenges are relying on questionable online sources which include passages that aren’t actually found in the books.

Those who favor more open access say limitations force a biased belief system onto Nebraska public libraries.

Instead, parents should monitor the consumption of literature as opposed to violating First Amendment rights, they say.

Just because there hasn’t been any requests to remove books for content at the Lied Randolph Public Library, it doesn’t mean the collection is static.

As part of the library’s accreditation process through the Nebraska Library Commission, it removes at least three percent of its collection each year, that amounts to about 500 books, Leiting said.

“When we were shut down for COVID, we were able to take the time to go through our collection and removed a significant amount of books at that time,” Leiting said. “Now we periodically go through our shelves and see when books have been checked out and if they are still relevant for our collection.”

The library’s policy for removal of books also takes into account a book’s physical condition, among other factors. Books taken out of circulation are sold at the library’s annual rummage sale.

Generally, the library adds 1,200 books each year.

According to the Lied Randolph Public Library’s policy, its collection should include a broad range of material but give special consideration to material with regional significance.

“Materials will not be excluded for selection because of the racial or nationality or the social, political or religious views of the author,” the policy states.

Along with considering material on bestseller lists, regional sources such as Golden Sower Award nominees, Newberry Award nominees, and others are encouraged when making selections.

“We are really patron driven,” Leiting said. “If a patron requests a book, we are very likely to include it in our collection if we think other patrons will enjoy it, too.”

As a tax-supported institution, residents have the right to question the inclusion or exclusion of any title in the library’s collection. Lied Randolph Public Library has a written policy that details the process to undergo if an official request to withdrawal materials is made.

Although she can’t pinpoint exactly why there’s been a surge of requests to remove books across the state in recent years, Leiting said fear and control may be motivators. She said social media is also used to spread information regardless of its truth.

Many libraries celebrate Banned Book Week each October with displays of all the books that have been challenged. Some of Leiting’s favorite books have been challenged such as Harper Lee’s classic “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and the Harry Potter series written by J.K. Rowling.

The fact that there’s an “un-burnable” edition of Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale,” makes quite the statement, Leiting said.

“Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we could respect one another’s views and what a better way to see through another person’s eyes than reading their stories,” Leiting said.

– The Flatwater Free Press and Nebraska News Service contributed to this article.