Potential for trauma in public libraries experiencing book banning and material challenges

Yeon, J., & Dudak, L. T. (2024). Potential for trauma in public libraries experiencing book banning and material challenges. Public Library Quarterly, 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/01616846.2024.2442215

Summary:

        This article highlights the difficulties of working in a library as a result of pressure from patrons or organizations to remove content from circulation. Material challenges are at an all time high over these last few years with the American Library Association receiving over 1,200 materials challenges in 2022, the most they have ever received. Yeon and Dudak view trauma experienced by library workers as an aspect of the job that has been overlooked for a long time because of the perception of library jobs being quiet. There has always been pressure to ban books for one reason or another but libraries are seeing this more than ever. It is not an uncommon occurrence for patrons to walk into a library and yell at the staff about a book they think is not suitable for the library or for children. According to the article a majority of library workers have experienced aggressive and disrespectful behavior from patrons inside the library. The article argues that these interactions can be very stressful for library workers. Additionally, the article highlights how book banning and the censorship of certain materials can be traumatic for members of the community as well because it is a rejection of their identity and experience.

Opinion/Evaluation:

        I found this article to be an interesting insight into libraries as it focuses on an element of working in a library that most people are not aware of. Whenever I hear people talking about working in a library they say it is quiet and not much goes on. I think libraries are like any job where you work with people, there is no guarantee how they will act. This article did well to highlight the stressful side of working in a library and the pressure workers face from patrons, organizations, and the government to censor materials. On top of the trauma library workers face, I think this article makes solid points about the impact book banning has on people in the community. This article shows that it is more important than ever for libraries to fight against book banning and censorship.