June 2022
PLDA Statement on Banning of Book Displays
The Public Library Directors’ Association of Suffolk County (PLDA) stands firmly in agreement with the American Library Association’s Statement Regarding Censorship that reads, “We stand opposed to censorship and any effort to coerce belief, suppress opinion, or punish those whose expression does not conform to what is deemed to be orthodox in history, politics, or belief. The unfettering exchange of ideas is essential to the preservation of a free and democratic society.”
PLDA also stands in agreement with the New York Library Association (NYLA) Statement on Intellectual Freedom and in its condemnation of the Smithtown Library Board of Trustees’ resolution on June 21, 2022 “to remove all Pride displays, in addition to removing all books of the same subject on display from all Children’s sections in all Smithtown Library buildings.”
PLDA believes that this action discriminates against library patrons and employees who are part of the LGBTQIA+ communities. These communities have equal rights to find materials they want on public library shelves and materials highlighted in library displays. Public libraries are meant to support each individual’s freedom to choose what they want to read without anyone (including library boards) censoring books or restricting the patron’s right to select materials they want to read.
PLDA is committed to supporting public libraries that meet the information needs of all diverse individuals and families of every background, belief and identity and understand that representation matters. For a child to see themselves or a family that looks like their family in a display gives that child a sense of pride in who they are. It shows that young patron that they are accepted, celebrated and loved. It solidifies for that child that libraries are safe spaces and that libraries are for everyone.
Signed,
Jennifer T. Fowler, President and the PLDA Executive Board
PLDA Statement on Banning of Book Displays
The Public Library Directors’ Association of Suffolk County (PLDA) stands firmly in agreement with the American Library Association’s Statement Regarding Censorship that reads, “We stand opposed to censorship and any effort to coerce belief, suppress opinion, or punish those whose expression does not conform to what is deemed to be orthodox in history, politics, or belief. The unfettering exchange of ideas is essential to the preservation of a free and democratic society.”
PLDA also stands in agreement with the New York Library Association (NYLA) Statement on Intellectual Freedom and in its condemnation of the Smithtown Library Board of Trustees’ resolution on June 21, 2022 “to remove all Pride displays, in addition to removing all books of the same subject on display from all Children’s sections in all Smithtown Library buildings.”
PLDA believes that this action discriminates against library patrons and employees who are part of the LGBTQIA+ communities. These communities have equal rights to find materials they want on public library shelves and materials highlighted in library displays. Public libraries are meant to support each individual’s freedom to choose what they want to read without anyone (including library boards) censoring books or restricting the patron’s right to select materials they want to read.
PLDA is committed to supporting public libraries that meet the information needs of all diverse individuals and families of every background, belief and identity and understand that representation matters. For a child to see themselves or a family that looks like their family in a display gives that child a sense of pride in who they are. It shows that young patron that they are accepted, celebrated and loved. It solidifies for that child that libraries are safe spaces and that libraries are for everyone.
Signed,
Jennifer T. Fowler, President and the PLDA Executive Board
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