Addressing Critical Race Theory Challenges in Your Library

The library profession has recently experienced a significant increase in challenges to library materials, program, displays, reading lists and curriculum that address racial injustice, Black history, and diversity education. A prime example is the 2020 Top Ten Banned Books List, which includes titles such as Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds and The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. This session will discuss the increasingly important role that Critical Race Theory has played in recent library challenges, as well as in censorship legislation. Attendees will gain an understanding of what Critical Race Theory actually is and how it is being co-opted by different groups as a means to ban books, materials, and programs that address the history of systemic racism in America. Also, experts from the Office of Intellectual Freedom will discuss the current ongoing challenges and legislation and how library workers can respond to these threats to intellectual freedom. This program is co-sponsored by ALA’s Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC), the IFC Privacy Subcommittee, the Committee on Professional Ethics (COPE), the Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT), and the Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF).