2018 board – Missouri Library Association

Cindy Thompson

MLA on Facebook

2 days ago

Disagreement ≠ A Violation of Your First Amendment Rights The first amendment protects you from censorship by the government. As librarians, we take censorship seriously, and as such, we provide access to a wide range of points of view in our collections. We resist pressure to censor our resources, but we welcome public discourse, because healthy debate is part of a thriving democracy. In this fraught time of polemics, let’s remember that disagreement is not the same as censorship. Censorship has a specific definition, even more so when it violates legally protected personal liberties. Here are some definitions that we find useful in making the distinction between true censorship and mere disagreement.Here’s what the American Library Association has to say about it:“Censorship is the suppression of ideas and information that certain persons — individuals, groups, or government officials — find objectionable or dangerous. It is no more complicated than someone saying, “Don’t let anyone read this book, or buy that magazine, or view that film, because I object to it!” Censors try to use the power of the state to impose their view of what is truthful and appropriate, or offensive and objectionable, on everyone else. Censors pressure public institutions, like libraries, to suppress and remove information they judge inappropriate or dangerous from public access, so that no one else has the chance to read or view the material and make up their own minds about it. The censor wants to prejudge materials for everyone." (www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/censorship)Article 3, Library Bill of Rights says "Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.” (www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill)The ACLU provides context for your constitutional rights with regard to censorship:“Censorship, the suppression of words, images, or ideas that are 'offensive,' happens whenever some people succeed in imposing their personal political or moral values on others. Censorship can be carried out by the government as well as private pressure groups. Censorship by the government is unconstitutional.” (www.aclu.org/other/what-censorship).~Learn more about the MLA Intellectual Freedom Committee (molib.org/get-involved/committees/intellectual-freedom/). ... See MoreSee Less

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Missouri Library Association (MLA)

3 days ago

Library Systems and Discovery Coordinator, James C. Kirkpatrick Library, University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, MOmolib.org/jobline/#UCM_LibSys#libraryjobs ... See MoreSee Less

Jobline – Missouri Library Association

molib.org

Jobline Jobline is an employment advertising service of the Missouri Library Association. If you wish to advertise a position, e-mail your ad to: mlajob@molib.org Be sure to indicate how many two-week postings you wish. A two-week posting costs $40 per job advertised. Jobline postings are provided a...

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Missouri Library Association (MLA)

1 week ago

Position posting: Collection Management Services Assistant Manager, Mid-Continent Public Library, Independence, MOmolib.org/jobline/#MCCollMan#libraryjobs ... See MoreSee Less

Jobline – Missouri Library Association

molib.org

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Missouri Library Association (MLA)

1 week ago

Position posting: Librarian I- Archivist Midwest Genealogy Center, Mid-Continent Public Library, Independence, MOmolib.org/jobline/#MCArchivist#libraryjobs ... See MoreSee Less

Jobline – Missouri Library Association

molib.org

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Missouri Library Association (MLA)

1 week ago

Position posting: Library Director, Doniphan-Ripley County Library, Doniphan, MOmolib.org/jobline/#DirectorDPCL#libraryjobs ... See MoreSee Less

Jobline – Missouri Library Association

molib.org

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