Amid a pressure campaign to ban library books some people don’t like, the Bartholomew County Public Library took a hard look at its collection.
They didn’t do so to cave to pressure, however, but rather to collect cold, hard data about the material in the collection, and whether it is reflective of the public it serves and is responsive to the needs and interests of everyone. That is, after all, the function of libraries.
As The Republic’s Jana Wiersema reported, the library on Monday released results of a recent “diversity audit” conducted by collectionHQ. That company, a division of book distributing giant Baker & Taylor, helps libraries around the globe manage collections and make data-driven decisions.
Library director Jason Hatton reported that the audit found that only 15% of the library’s entire book collection focused on underrepresented groups.
As Wiersema reported, “The study looked at 12 specific categories: Asian, Black, Disabilities and Neurodiversity, Equity and Social Issues, Hispanic and Latino, Indigenous Peoples, LGBTQIA+ and Gender Studies, Mental and Emotional Health, Middle Eastern and North African, Multicultural, Religion, and Substance Abuse and Addictions. Hatton clarified that the ‘religion’ category primarily refers to underrepresented religions.”
The audit found 15% of books represented one or more of these groups throughout the library, and 34% in the juvenile sections did. “Hatton noted that equity and social issues accounted for almost 30% of teen nonfiction, which he believes makes sense, given that teenagers are often interested in these subjects or have to report on them for school. Comparatively, books on these topics make up about 5% of the library’s overall collection,” Wiersema reported.
The library’s audit continues with a title-by-title diversity audit of the teen section.
We must note here that this audit did not occur in a vacuum. The audit began as a small group of people made a concerted, coordinated effort to restrict what public library patrons could read.
The Republic has been outspoken in our editorial stance in support of libraries and librarians ever since the voices of censorship began growing louder. We commend the library for studying its collection thoroughly as a basis for decision making, yet we cannot ignore the powerful forces still threatening the mission of libraries and librarians.
Even now, we must again point out a live bill in the legislature that could result in librarians being led away in handcuffs for providing a minor with a library book someone doesn’t like. That’s not hyperbole. Senate Bill 12 would permit this. The bill also would empower censors with new avenues to take over public school libraries and silently remove books. SB12 is a preposterous assault on librarians, educators and freedom.
Nevertheless, it passed the Indiana Senate by a vote of 37-12. Sen. Greg Walker, R-Columbus, voted for it, and Rep. Ryan Lauer, R-Columbus, supports it.
Fortunately, with just three weeks left for bills to pass, SB12 has not been called for a hearing in the Indiana House Education Committee. We hope this terrible bill dies there, but defense of the First Amendment requires that we remain vigilant.
