Latest news with #AmericanLibraryAssn.
Los Angeles Times
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Commentary: Before they open a book: the politicization of Orange County's public libraries
The Huntington Beach Public Library is a community paragon and is expected to unveil its 50th anniversary plaque this month — a plaque that has sparked controversy with its politicized messaging. Emblazoned with the MAGA acronym and slogans from previous presidents, the plaque is one of many ways politics have infiltrated Orange County libraries, especially the children's sections. Politicization through book bans, extremely partisan city councils and physical signage has skewed our youngest readers' perception of literature. To combat literary politicization, the state of California recently chartered the Freedom to Read Act, restricting book banning in state-funded facilities. Will this be enough to protect Orange County children's right to read? Every new parent is urged to create avid readers for a reason. Reading is key to a child's development. It is known to improve children's critical thinking and concentration, develop their senses of empathy and creativity, and introduce them to different cultures and experiences. Orange County public libraries support families' reading goals with their children's sections and events such as story time, reading challenges and family book clubs. Yet our public libraries have faced roadblocks to free access in recent years. According to the American Library Assn., book bans have been on the rise in the last few years, and nowhere is this clearer than in Huntington Beach. Although free access to literature is considered a protected 1st Amendment right under free speech, Huntington Beach officials have been among those who believe children's sections should be monitored. Just last year The Huntington Beach City Council ordered its central library to move books with 'sexual content' out of the children's section. The 'sexual content' in question? Books on potty training, puberty, and anatomy — subjects integral for children's development. The state of California seeks to reduce such instances of book banning. The Freedom to Read Act, AB 1825, dictates that by Jan. 1, 2026, all state-funded libraries must write and publish a collection development policy. Collection policies cannot allow the removal, relocation, or restriction of books based on political, LGBTQ+, or racial content, topics that frequently justify book bans. This act would especially affect children's sections, cementing diverse stories on children's shelves. Supporters view this act with optimism toward a bipartisan state library system, especially for littles; in contrast, some municipalities, including Huntington Beach, expressed contempt for AB 1825 and seek to fight against it. Book bans are not the only conduits of library politicization; city councils and infrastructure are politicized as well. While AB 1825 aims to reduce politicization of public libraries, it only focuses on library content. Despite librarians, volunteers and patrons alike voicing concerns about the presidential slogans on the Huntington Beach Public Library's 50th anniversary plaque, the City Council unanimously approved the design. When the plaque is unveiled, families will encounter politicized messages from both the left and the right before even cracking open a book. Despite its best efforts, AB 1825 will not eliminate politicization by a long shot. Orange County citizens are responsible for protecting the integrity of our libraries, especially for our children. Community members can directly support public libraries by simply going to their local library and taking out a library card. This increases the library's door count and card count and can dictate its allocated resources. Advocate for children's free, bipartisan access to literature in public libraries by voicing concerns at city council meetings and reaching out to representatives. Relatives of school-age children can attend school board meetings and defend librarians and teachers. Parents should discuss what content their children should and should not be reading at their age while encouraging curiosity on diverse stories. Orange County public libraries have encouraged both proper development through reading and love for books in thousands of children; it is up to its citizens to protect the libraries from politicization so thousands more can experience the benefits of free access to literature. Meredith Starkenburg is a lifelong Orange County resident who studies education and English at the College of William and Mary.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
California libraries losing millions in funding after Trump terminates federal grant
Libraries across California are bracing for cuts to early literacy, information access and continuing education programs after the Trump administration's latest effort to slash federal spending took aim at the nation's libraries and museums. The California State Library, which supports local libraries and maintains its own collection, said it was notified this week that a key federal grant supporting programs across the state had been terminated, slashing $3 million of funds that had already been awarded. In a statement Thursday, the California State Library said it had yet to receive more than 20% of a $15.7-million grant awarded under the Library Services and Technology Act for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The funds had been distributed to support a wide range of programs across California's libraries, including story times for low-income families, summer reading initiatives, workforce-readiness skills for at-risk youth and opportunities to earn online high school diplomas. Read more: California officials detail Trump funding freeze 'chaos,' warn another could cripple state 'We are deeply disappointed by this ill-informed decision, which immediately affects critical programs supported by these funds,' Rebecca Wendt, the California deputy state librarian, said in a statement. 'The California State Library remains committed to serving all of the people of California and will explore alternative means to ensure continued access to essential library services.' The grant's abrupt stop comes amid turmoil at the Institute of Museum and Library Services, an independent federal agency that provides the majority of federal support for the nation's libraries, according to its website and the American Library Assn. Much of the agency's staff were placed on administration leave this week, coming weeks after President Trump signed an executive order aimed at the further "reduction of the federal bureaucracy." The order called for the majority of the functions of the library-focused agency, as well as several others, to "be eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law." The American Library Assn. called the staff reductions and cuts at the Institute for Museum and Library Services "extremely shortsighted and perilous for the millions of Americans who rely on our public, school, academic, and special libraries." "Library funding draws less than 0.003% of the annual federal budget yet has enormous impact in communities nationwide," the association said in a statement. "From technology classes for jobseekers to services for people with disabilities, from library delivery for older Americans to summer reading programs for families, IMLS funding makes a real, concrete difference in the lives of Americans every day." A request for comment from the IMLS was not immediately answered. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
