American library book censorship exported to the UK

The UK is experiencing a significant rise in requests to remove books from library shelves, as echoes of organised book bans in the United States are being felt here, according to professionals in the library sector. This increase in censorship requests is concerning for many in the field, as it brings with it implications for intellectual freedom and the availability of diverse perspectives in libraries.

Louis Coiffait-Gunn, the CEO of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (Cilip), noted that while the situation in the UK ‘is nowhere [near] as bad’ as in the US, there are alarming instances of library professionals losing jobs and facing online harassment simply for advocating for the intellectual freedoms of their users. Similarly, Ed Jewell, President of Libraries Connected, an independent charity representing public libraries, remarked that ‘anecdotal evidence from our members suggests that requests to remove books are increasing.’

The School Library Association (SLA) has also reported a rise in inquiries from members regarding censorship, suggesting a growing unease within the sector. Unlike the US, where 72% of book challenges in the past year originated from organised groups, most of the challenges in the UK are reportedly put forward by individuals or small groups. Alison Hicks, an associate professor in library and information studies at UCL, highlighted a troubling connection to US-based action groups. In interviews with 10 school librarians who faced book challenges, one librarian noted finding propaganda from one such group left on her desk, while another was subjected to direct targeting.

Hicks’ research indicates that the nature of book challenges in the UK notably features issues surrounding LGBTQ+ materials. She noted in her study published in the SLA’s journal, The School Librarian, that incidents of censorship by students include vandalism of library materials with racist and homophobic slurs, a phenomenon described as not typically observed in the US.

The types of books most frequently challenged in the UK appear to skew towards LGBTQ+ themes. For example, popular titles such as Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper, which explores the romantic relationship between two British schoolboys, and Billy’s Bravery by Tom Percival, about a boy’s desire to dress as his favourite (female) superhero, have been targeted. This aligns with findings from a survey conducted by Index on Censorship, where 28 out of 53 librarians reported requests to remove books, many of which were LGBTQ+ titles.

A separate study by Cilip revealed that a third of UK librarians had been approached by the public regarding censorship or the removal of books, identifying themes of race, empire, and LGBTQ+ issues as commonly targeted. Hicks emphasised that despite the differences in context, the consequences of such challenges are profoundly felt, with UK school librarians experiencing significant levels of distress.

The context in the US remains a point of concern, where numerous states have enacted book banning measures in recent years. Jewell remarked on the solidarity with American librarians among UK library leaders, who are closely observing these developments. Coiffait-Gunn expressed concern over the increasingly polarised debates in the US regarding children’s reading material and the implications for UK libraries.

In the UK, there is an apparent lack of concrete data regarding the extent of censorship. Coiffait-Gunn pointed out the difficulties in evidencing what is unavailable in libraries, given that the government does not track the number of school libraries or the frequency of book bans. Despite this ambiguity, nearly all UK libraries are guided by the Cilip ethical framework which states that published materials should not face restrictions unless legally mandated. Jewell clarified that this framework empowers libraries to confidently reject censorship demands.

Source: Noah Wire Services