The New Inquisition: Understanding and Managing Intellectual Freedom Challenges

by James LaRue

How can you become an effective advocate for intellectual freedom and patron privacy while maintaining a positive relationship with diverse elements of your community? Drawing on his experience as library director, this author advocates assuming a proactive role in every library function, from collection building to community outreach. This approach helps you understand the people who challenge library materials―as individuals and as members of various groups―turning enemies into allies and building an intellectual, freedom-friendly community. You'll learn what materials get challenged and why and how you can effectively respond to challenges while meeting diverse community needs. Here are stories from the frontlines, practical guidelines on policies and procedures as well as common-sense tips on how to maintain your cool while dealing with specific groups or individuals―all presented with common sense and humor. If you have been struggling with challenges and wonder how you can uphold your ideals while dealing with harsh realities, this is the book you have been waiting for.

Genres: Nonfiction, Librarianship, Library Science, Professional Development, School, Adult

172 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2007

Reviews

[Kristine Olsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This proved to be a nice read on Intellectual Freedom, a concept that is near and dear to librarian hearts the world over. I appreciated the history lesson with respect to the development and interpretations of the First Amendment. Getting a review of the Library Bill of Rights was refreshing. I was deeply surprised to find LaRue had joined Focus on the Family as a means to find out what they were all about and how he could make sure the library was an ally and not a foe to this group. Seeing how he dealt with a potentially sticky situation with the LDS church was eye opening. Talk about diplomacy in action. His chapter on taking it to the streets was a nice lesson on advocating for the library. I enjoyed reading the examples of letters he's sent over the years in response to various challenges to his library. I hope to possess that kind of tact someday. My only gripe about this was its dated feel. I know CIPA is still around, however, you just don't seem to hear much about it anymore. At any rate, a solid lesson on how best to deal with challenges to you library.

[Sonia Reppe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intellectual freedom is this idea that everyone has the right to believe what they want, and to have access to other people's ideas and knowledge and the ability to share information.

James LaRue has been a library director in Colorado for many years and his book is about the intellectual freedom challenges that face librarians. The first chapter is all about the history of the 1st amendment. As a grad student, I guess it's good for me to know this history but the chapter was a little boring. The 2nd chapter, though, was really interesting. LaRue details his experience with people/groups who object to (challenge) a book or DVD at his library. These challenges mostly have to do with religion or sex.

What I learned is that libraries have a responsibility to keep a wide range of knowledge and information accessible to everyone, to "publicly present the intellectual resourcesof our culture;" not to take sides but equally represent everyone. To the Mormons who challenged a bigoted anti-Mormon DVD, LaRue suggested they present some titles of pro-Mormon DVDs and literature that the library could buy. They did so and the library purchased these.

In the next chapters LaRue gives guidelines for how librarians should respond to challenges and also suggestions for how they can be more involved with their community. He urges librarians to be informed about as much they can, especially on organizations that are challenging the library. That's why he went to fundamentalist meetings. He also made a point to introduce himself to school administrators, politicians and the like.

LaRue's tone is respectful and level-headed. He is easy to understand and seems passionate about his work. His advice for how to run a successful library seems sound, with his refrain always "intellectual freedom for all".

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't often read my textbooks in their entirety, and this was the first in a long time that I did (for my Censorship, Youth, and the Politics of Reading class). It was so good that I'm actually considering purchasing it for reference when I become a librarian, should I face an intellectual freedom challenge (and undoubtedly I will). This book is very readable, probably due to 's experience for the past decade as a local newspaper columnist representing the library he is a director of, and draws upon his experience as a librarian confronting and dealing with challenges. His point of view is refreshing and makes dealing with challenges seem exciting and doable (and not so scary)! I love that he doesn't belittle conservative Christians (since I was raised that way, and am conservative in some ways--just not about intellectual freedom) and appreciates their feedback and voice. He approaches each challenge thoughtfully and turns enemies into allies. For example, when an LDS member was upset about a video that portrayed the Mormon religion as false, LaRue, instead of pulling the video, asked her for suggestions of other videos and books to purchase to represent her point of view. It's easy to see why LaRue has been so successful, and this is a great book to get some ideas and examples of facing intellectual freedom challenges, which can admittedly be daunting.

LaRue rules!

[Brandon · Rating 2 out of 5]

The title is very misleading. The amount that Intellectual Freedom Challenges is actually talked about is only a chapter or two worth of information. Some of the points that he makes are interesting but if you are looking for a book about dealing with challenges in library system there are way better books.

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was really excited about reading this title as it is considered one of the most helpful in how the writer addresses IFC. However, the book is mainly centered on children’s materials, touches on a balanced collection-but not development as a whole, and seems stuck in the ‘90s.

Arguably, many libraries still have FOF books and children’s books are regularly destroyed or hidden from patrons, but a lot has changed in the last 13 years.

Some may say it’s not fair to rate a book that’s outdated so low, but this title is still touted in library school lectures and is included in professional development collections. It’s time for an update.

[Lauren Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical guide for advocating for intellectual freedom in libraries. LaRue, who spoke to my IF & Censorship class, stresses a proactive role of all library functions. The book provided interesting historical background on intellectual freedom issues. His recommendations for how to respond to censorship challenges was valuable, as was his insight on proactive marketing, public relations, and community engagement. I'll be keeping this one on my desk.

[Garrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

LaRue was inspiring when I saw him @ TLA this last spring; less so here. The book is useful and interesting, but also preachy and not quite as practical as one would like; unless you're someone who has the time @ their library job to actively engage every complaint, challenge and member of the public, this is more interesting in theory than it is practical. Still, a near-requirement in the age of Trumpie.

[Ina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was introduced to this book when several chapter excerpts were assigned in my YA Services class at UCLA. They were among the most thought provoking, eye opening items I read in library school. I enjoyed them so much that I wanted more...and so I went out and bought the book. James LaRue, as director of the Douglas County Library System, has had to deal with a number of challenges to library materials and has great practical advice about how best to deal with challenges as they occur. More important though, he share strategies to avoid such challenges and position the library as a respected institution within it's community, fully supported by that community. He advocates, what he calls, "reading with the enemy" which means getting to know community groups that are leading, or likely to lead challenges. As director of the library he attends meetings regularly, subscribes to special interest publications and goes out into his community regularly. He listens to complaints respectfully and believes it is better to add items, representing a different point of view, than to remove items that a segment of the community finds objectionable. His strategies about reaching out and working with his entire community are about so much more than just dealing with challenges - the advice is really about ensuring that your library is providing superior service to its community and making sure that the library remains a respected and vibrant institution within its community.

[Meagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for my class in professional principles and ethics, and I was both surprised and thrilled at how readable it is. Even though it was a textbook, albeit a short one, I flew through it in two days. As a graduate student who works full time, this is really saying something!

We here in Colorado are fortunate to call James LaRue one of our local librarians, and as a library director who has faced over 200 challenges to materials, he has a lot to say about the subject. His advice is specific, practical, and inspiring. His dedication to serving all of his community is apparent on every page, and I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in censorship, or merely in what libraries stand for and how they go about things. The author also came to speak to my professional principles and ethics class, and I'm pleased to report that he is every bit as knowledgeable and approachable as his writing style suggests.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked this book. It is easy to read and I got some insights I will most definitely use in the future. I really liked what the author had to say about getting out into the community, to me PR through the traditional means and especially through grass roots efforts is among one of the most important things that library managers, supervisors and directors can to. I thought this book did a great job of showing how to demonstrate the value of the public library and having diverse resources for the whole community. My only knock would be that it focused quite a bit on challenges from the religious community, though I realize this is probably largely due to the community in which the author lives rather than an intentional bias.

[Vicki]

This is an eye opening book which talks about the difficulties of running a library and the serving the patrons either by having the materials they want or need or by censoring the materials that are not wanted or needed by one group but are wanted by another group. Being a librarian is a lot harder than I thought. And the library is more of a political atmosphere than I thought....albeit one that is not supposed to be political.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting subject...I regret that I only realized how foundational intellectual freedom is to librarianship near graduation! This book is one of the most current on the topic, by a Colorado public library director. However, I have to say the writing is a little local newspaperish--as in, seems like it could be targeting a high school audience.

[Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written and buttressed by great, convincing arguments and analogies. LaRue's passion for defending freedom gives him the much lauded and much earned status as a crusader for intellectual freedom. A must for any librarian/information professional or anyone committed to fighting the good fight for intellectual freedom.

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am reading this book again. I read it spring 2009 for libr 200. It is required reading in the class I am taking right now. I still LOVE it. And it retains its 5 star status for me.

I have never been big on heroes. Whenever I was asked who my hero was I never had an easy answer ready. But James LaRue is my hero. He is absolutely amazing.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written reference book for any librarian or other library staff. The author has personally experienced the examples provided. He offers an interesting approach to dealing with censorship challenges faced by many librarians. Examples are provided and how he dealt with them.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd give this ten stars if I could! Excellent information in these pages. I liked that he included his letters to patrons challenging materials. After reading this book I again feel like I handled my challenge pretty darn well.

[KathyP · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by our local Douglas County Librarian, this is a thought provoking look at how libraries choose books to stock,and what public concerns they address daily in their jobs.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

book challenges, censorship, intellectual freedom, library bill of rights

[Katy]

I really want to read this book, but what are the chances that I'll read this book over the summer when I didn't read it during the quarter for class like I was supposed to?

[Danica Midlil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!!!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot of good information and practical advice in this book. It is more suited to public libraries than school libraries.

[Jeane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a school book, and as far as school books go, it was very readable. I actually, gasp, enjoyed it!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for LIS590IE - very well-written with great real-life examples

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

LaRue's experience is interesting to read about, although his formula for dealing with challenges is not realistic or applicable to all libraries,librarians, or challenges.