I'm seeing a lot of social media posts of library displays of banned books, and while that's great, as a former librarian, let me explain why you may not see any displays at some libraries, especially if you live in an area where these book bannings are going on.
Librarians for the most part are not fans of banning books. I worked in one in a deep red area and I can pretty much guarantee I worked with the only five liberals in town.
Now, what do you think happens when a parent comes in and sees that table of books? Think they're letting their kids come home with ANYTHING off that table?
Not having the display out doesn't mean small town libraries are not in solidarity. It means they're doing what it takes to survive. I promise kids and the librarians both have access to those banned book lists. And in places where they are banned, it's much easier for librarians to sneak those books home with kids in front of parents who would otherwise ban them from the house.
Stay sneaky, folks.
Librarians: doing more to “Defend our Democracy” than any Marine.
