Latest news with #public libraries
Times
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Times
Wheesht team cries hypocrisy as library unveils ‘democracy' grants
SNP ministers have been accused of hypocrisy as a fund to support 'democracy' in public libraries was announced less than a week after it emerged that Scotland's national library had refused to exhibit a feminist book. The Scottish Library and Information Council (Slic) is seeking grant applications from libraries for £450,000 of Scottish government money. It says projects will be prioritised if they tackle misinformation or support democratic choice, among other topics. However, documents show that Amina Shah, Scotland's national librarian and the chief executive of the National Library of Scotland, who sits on the Slic board, was persuaded to block the inclusion of The Women Who Wouldn't Wheesht in a special display despite it receiving more than enough public votes. The book charts the rise of the grassroots movement that opposed Nicola Sturgeon's gender self-identification law. Angus Robertson, Scotland's culture secretary, hailed the launch of the fund saying it 'exemplifies the transformative power of libraries, from introducing digital inclusiveness to teaching about economic wellbeing'. Alison Nolan, chief executive of Slic, said the themes of this year's awards would 'ensure libraries continue to lead as trusted, inclusive spaces at the heart of every community'. Susan Smith, a director of the campaign group For Women Scotland which clarified the legal definition of the term 'woman' in a landmark victory at the UK Supreme Court, said: 'It is quite extraordinary that this announcement has come only a week after the national library was exposed for cowardice and censorship after they pulled The Women Who Wouldn't Wheesht from an exhibition at the behest of bullies. 'In doing so, they maligned the writers and misrepresented the book — not something that sits well with campaigns against misinformation.' Smith asked if Shah only applied the principles referred to in the scheme 'selectively or when convenient' . She said: 'Will the culture secretary, Angus Robertson, relocate his spine and speak out against the decision of the chief librarian? Her position was already untenable: unless action is taken, both Shah and Robertson look like the most pathetic of hypocrites.' The Women Who Wouldn't Wheesht was due to be included in the national library's centenary exhibition but was pulled after a backlash by the library's LGBT staff network, which claimed it contained 'hate speech' and that displaying it would cause 'severe harm' to workers. They threatened to 'notify LGBT+ partners of the library's endorsement of the book' if management did not remove the publication. Shah pointed to the potential impact on 'key stakeholders' and the library's reputation if the essay collection was featured. She has faced opposition since her decision was made public, with Alex Graham, a library donor, saying he was 'shocked and angry' about the exclusion. Robertson has not directly addressed the row. Susan Dalgety, a co-editor of The Women Who Wouldn't Wheesht, said: 'Libraries play a central function in nurturing democracy and promoting rational debate. 'Yet our book, one written by more than 30 women from across Scotland, has been excluded from its rightful place in the exhibition. 'This anti-democratic decision goes against everything libraries stand for. It is somewhat ironic that Slic has announced funding to support democracy this very week. The council should remind the national librarian and Sir Drummond Bone, the library chair, of their central role in promoting democracy through freedom of expression.' Murdo Fraser, the Scottish Conservative Party spokesman for culture, said: 'Many will be sceptical at the timing of the SNP's support for this fund given the recent furore over the national library's censorship of Women Won't Wheesht. 'If ministers like Angus Robertson are serious about tackling misinformation then perhaps they will finally apologise for years of denying the reality of there only being two biological sexes. 'He should also apologise for all the local libraries across Scotland that have closed, or been threatened with closure, as a result of SNP cuts.' The national library reissued its statement about the exclusion of the book from the display. It said: 'Anyone can visit our reading rooms and access this book as well as the 200 other titles that were not selected for display. A full list of those publications is available as part of the exhibition. 'Libraries are vital places where people can access all kinds of publications for free and form their own opinions.' Slic said: 'Stock selection in libraries is a complex issue shaped by a wide variety of external factors. Slic has always advocated for open access to diverse voices in Scotland's public libraries and continues to do so.' The Scottish government said: 'Ministers have no role in curation decisions taken by individual institutions. The Scottish government supports the right to freedom of expression and we are clear that there is no place for any form of discrimination in Scotland.'
Yahoo
10-08-2025
- General
- Yahoo
People Are Sharing The Things The US Actually Gets Right, And I Needed To Hear This
I think we can all agree that the US has many areas for improvement, especially when compared to other progressive countries. However, despite the country's numerous issues, it surprisingly isn't all bad. In one Reddit thread (which you can see here), people discussed the things they think the US does right, and my cynical self definitely needed this reminder. Here are 18 things the US doesn't completely mess up, as told by both residents and people from other countries: Related: 1."Our public libraries are a real backbone for the country. Andrew Carnegie's groundwork in building the institution of free libraries, even in small towns, set a precedent that we wouldn't fathom today but couldn't live without." "They often serve not only as an information exchange but as a cultural hub, art gallery, performing arts center, tax aide, voter registration, job resources, etc., in communities. Plus, they're one of the only places you can just exist for hours indoors without the expectation that you must buy something. And I feel like they've adapted to the ever-changing needs of their patrons in modern times faster in the US than most places. 'A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert.' –Andrew Carnegie" –fadedVHS 2."Accessibility code for buildings. I come from a country where disability is looked upon as a crime or fault. The USA does an amazing job of making things accessible. I haven't seen all of the USA, but the majority of the places have amazing systems." –snreddit87 3."Aggressive self-determinism. Oh, your parents were abusive, and you don't talk to them anymore? Fuck yeah, rad, good for you. Your partner couldn't give you the relationship you dreamed of having. Alright, rad, move on up. You hated your job, and think your future is in being a movie star? Alright. You do you. Send me a premier ticket." –inimicalimp 4."Aussie here. I think entertainment. Everyone talks shit about the US, but then spends most of their time listening to American music, film, and TV." –curlynoodles 5."Valuing actual wilderness in places like national parks. Here in England, they will 'restore' or 'create' natural habitats, which is sort of nice, but they are almost like zoos. They are too small to survive by themselves, so they are actively maintained. And in some English national parks, they actually allow housing developments as long as the architectural design is sympathetic. Here, 'countryside' means farms. There is still a notion in the USA of protecting some large wilderness areas from development." –anon5005 Related: 6."The US is an absolute science powerhouse. The technology we come out with has touched the lives of nearly every person on the planet." –AmericanHoneycrisp 7."Automatic complimentary water at cafes and restaurants." –Rossimus 8."I love that in the US, if you go back to school at 40 or 50, no one blinks an eye. If you get a degree at 80 or 90, you are a total hero. In many cultures, you need to be done with school in your twenties. No one goes to school later in life." –Bekiala 9."Free public toilets everywhere you go. It's kind of a culture shock to go to a different country and have to pay money to use the restroom. It's a necessity, I would rather people be allowed to use the restroom rather than do their business outside." –taco_ivore Related: 10."Burgers. Motherfuckin' burgers." –ProfessorRoyHinkley 11."I say this as an immigrant who came to this country, so perhaps take it with a grain of salt. But it truly gives people a second chance at life. My life would be nowhere near as good as it is right now if I were back in my home country." –Porongas1993 12."Air conditioning." –TequilaSweatshirt 13."The US postal system is the most far-reaching postal system in the world. We will deliver nearly anything to any mailbox. Do you live at the bottom of the Grand Canyon? Say no more, postal donkeys." –Bergy_Berg 14."How friendly people are. Don't get me wrong, there's a ton of friendly cultures, and even plenty more hospitable ones than the US, but the sheer level of openness and genuine friendliness is something else in the US." –bombayblue Related: 15."Interstate highway system. Blows my mind that I can get pretty much anywhere I want down there without having to take some crazy roundabout route and have ample places to stop and eat/bathroom/refuel. Also, most people in the USA actually follow the 'pass on the left, cruise right' rule, which is a rarity here in Canada." –runtimemess 16."Free speech. I can get arrested for saying certain opinions in my country." –PrimeMinisterArdern 17."The amount of choices at the grocery store. It can be overwhelming, but most other countries don't have nearly the same amount of options for something as simple as potato chips.' –External_fox995 finally, "We're the nation that created Shrek. That's all I need to say." –pandyabee What else belongs on this list? Let me know in the comments! Also in Internet Finds: Also in Internet Finds: Also in Internet Finds:
