TIL my local library banned my zine for 'inciting debate', since when did libraries fear ideas?

3 comments

3 Comments

The ALA's library bill of rights specifically protects controversial materials. I mean, 'inciting debate' is a pretty unusual reason unless your zine actually broke their content rules.

emmao555d ago

Last year, the downtown branch turned down my friend's art zine for similar reasons. It was just abstract paintings, but they called it 'divisive'. I swear some libraries are more about avoiding trouble than sharing ideas.

adamellis6d ago

Libraries have collection policies, they don't just take everything. Those policies often say no to stuff that's purely hate speech, calls for violence, or is just explicit adult content not meant for a general public space. Your zine probably hit one of those rules. Framing it as a fear of ideas misses the practical job of curating a shared resource. It's not about your ideas, it's about the packaging.