WHEREAS: 

A foundational value of public and school libraries is to provide resources enabling the development of interest, the understanding of information and the enlightenment of all people who enter through the library’s doors; and 

WHEREAS: 

In a free society, everyone must be free to learn, to read and to be who they are; and 

WHEREAS: 

Providing educational opportunity is a fundamental responsibility of a library worker’s job, and library workers must not be put in fear of censorship or reprisal for fulfilling their role of providing information and resources to the public; and 

WHEREAS: 

Public and school libraries are increasingly being subjected to book bans, censorship attacks and anti-library legislation. The American Library Association reports 4,240 book titles were challenged in 2023, up from just 223 challenges in 2020. Challenges at public libraries increased by 93% in 2023; and 

WHEREAS: 

Book challenges are increasingly being made by a small number of individuals and extremist activist groups. Such challenges do not typically come from individuals concerned about a specific title they are familiar with, but come from groups who demand that school boards and library boards ban dozens or hundreds of titles from lists the groups download online; and 

WHEREAS: 

The topics most often targeted by book-ban requests, making up half of challenged titles, are books focusing on racism, sexuality and gender identity. Targeting these topics obstructs children’s and adults’ access to books, materials and information that allow them to see themselves reflected in the stories they read and to better understand who they are in all of their varied backgrounds and experiences; and 

WHEREAS: 

Individuals and groups that challenge books often cite the need to protect young people from inappropriate or harmful material. On the contrary, books are tools for understanding complex issues, and limiting people's access to books does not protect them from life's complex and challenging experiences. Rather, books are frequently a tool for fostering greater understanding and empathy of others’ often traditionally underrepresented lives and perspectives; and 

WHEREAS: 

The mere threat of book bans and of criminal prosecution of librarians creates a detrimental and chilling effect in the public square. Removing and banning books from public and school libraries in the manner sought by these organized campaigns breaches bedrock values of our society, including freedom of speech and expression, and constitutes a form of government censorship. 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: 

That AFSCME recognizes that public and school library workers, whether they work at the information desk, circulation desk, or elsewhere, are heroes that protect intellectual freedom, the right to read, learn, think and participate in democracy; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: 

That AFSCME will fight calls for book bans and censorship in support of the public and school library workers who strive to fulfill their responsibility to provide information and education to library users; and 

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED: 

That AFSCME will stand in solidarity with public and school library workers who face censorship, harassment and legal sanction simply for fulfilling their responsibility to deliver knowledge and information to their communities. 

SUBMITTED BY:
Todd Holden, President 
Warren Pointer, Secretary 
AFSCME Local 1072, Council 3 
Maryland