Intellectual Freedom Essay - 2055 Words

Intellectual Freedom The History of Intellectual Freedom and Censorship Threats to intellectual freedom have existed since the printed word. History has seen bitter censorship battles over what should and should not be published, sold, and read. The fight for intellectual freedom has been long and complex, and many agencies have been involved in the process. For example, in 1954, libraries had difficulty importing materials from behind the Iron Curtain. The post office had taken on the role of the censor and had labeled certain papers unmailable and refused to deliver them (Newsletter, January, 1954, 7). The Civil Rights era was also a difficult time for our country, and libraries were not exempt from its pressures. On August 11,†¦show more content†¦Librarians were expected to endorse and indeed censor the materials they provided for their patrons. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn provides a good example of a librarians thinking at the turn of the century. The novel excited controversy from the outset, when the Concord (Massachusetts) Public Library banned the book in 1855, charging that the [book] was trash suitable only for the slums. Denver (Colorado) Public Library banned the novel in 1902, and Brooklyn Public Library removed it from the childrens room on the charge that Huck not only itched but he scratched, and he said sweat when he should have said perspiration. (Karolides, Bald, and Sova, 336) Richard Rubin further explains that the women who were hired as librarians at the end of the nineteenth century were expected to represent the values of polite middle-class society and to steer individuals from good to better books (153). By 1948 the view of the librarian was far removed from that of the early 20th century librarian. The librarians role began to shift from being a gatekeeper to a provider of information. The librarian today has a professional responsibility to be as fair, just, and equitable as possible to try to give all library users equal protection in guarding against violation of library patrons rights to read, view or listen toShow MoreRelatedThe Library Functions On The Concept Of Intellectual Freedom Essay1057 Words   |  5 Pageslater asks that the book removed to the library and with threats to sue. After calmly listening to her complaint, I proceeded to explain the policies and procedures for challenging a book. I explained the library functions on the concept of intellectual freedom. Mrs. Green was given a copy of the district challenge/ban policy and a pamphlet on the steps for filing a challenge. 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