For my first professional development activity for INF330, I read and analysed a peer-reviewed journal article that focuses on censorship: Gawen, N. (2019). Conservative Censors, Banned Books: Reading the Reports of Australia’s Commonwealth Literature Censorship Board. Reinvention, 12(1).https://doi.org/10.31273/reinvention.v12i1.432
Recently, the library where I work has come under attack by individuals who believe that certain materials should not be included in our collection. These attacks have gone beyond the library walls, with radicals using LinkedIn profiles to identify library staff and send hateful mail not only about our resources but also about the events and causes we promote, such as the International Day Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination (IDAHOBIT), which our council fervently supports each year. The intensity of this targeted attack escalated when the Australian Christian Lobby association urged its followers to “check the children’s section in your public and school library for any explicit material,” with the tagline: Your mission, if you choose to accept it! They specifically sought out queer novels and non-fiction titles addressing sexual education, claiming, “Their innocence is under attack.”
A few weeks later, we received emails from the Australian Classification Board about titles that we were legally obligated to remove from our shelves. One such title was the modern classic “American Psycho,” which is no longer available for purchase in Queensland. However, the film adaptation remains accessible, which one might argue is more visually graphic than the written word. Additionally, we had to ensure that our copies of “The Handmaid’s Tale” all had Australian Classification labels attached (I remember reading this in high school for English). Although neither of these titles is housed within the children’s collection, it prompted me to question the concept of censorship. This classification process represents a gap in my understanding of librarianship that I am eager to fill, especially given the scrutiny placed on many children’s titles. Where is the fine line between classification and censorship? This question led me to Naish Gawen’s article (2019), which I hoped would develop a deeper understanding.
Naish Gawen’s (2019) research delves into the archives of Australia’s Commonwealth Literature Censorship Board, examining the dynamics of censorship during the mid-20th century. The study illuminates the conservative attitudes prevalent within the board, shedding light on the criteria used to deem certain literary works as unfit for public consumption. By analysing the reports produced by the censorship board, Gawen reveals the complex interplay between moral standards, political ideologies, and societal norms. The findings underscore the significance of understanding historical censorship practices in shaping cultural discourse and freedom of expression. Through meticulous examination of the board’s decisions, Gawen (2019) offers insights into the socio-political climate that influences literary censorship in Australia.
Through analysing Naish Gawen’s (2019) article, I gained a deeper understanding of the conservative attitudes that once governed our literature censorship board. This prompted me to ask: Who currently sits on the Australian Classification Board? Are these conservative attitudes still shaping what Australian citizens can consume based on moral standards? Upon reviewing the board’s qualifications, I was shocked to find that not a single member had a background in librarianship or information studies. This revelation wouldn’t have come to light without delving into Gawen’s (2019) article. The board makes decision on publications that directly impact Australian libraries. It strikes me as a significant oversight that professionals trained in the principles of freedom of knowledge and information are excluded from the classification decision-making process. Is this intentional? That might be a discussion for another post.
References:
Australian Christian Lobby. (n.d.). Explicit children’s books do not belong in public libraries. https://www.acl.org.au/explicit-childrens-books-in-public-libraries/
Australian Classification. (n.d.). Classification Board. https://www.classification.gov.au/about-us/classification-board
Australian Library and Information Association. (2018). Free access to information statement. https://www.alia.org.au/about-alia/policies-standards-and-guidelines/statement-free-access-information
Gawen, N. (2019). Conservative Censors, Banned Books: Reading the Reports of Australia’s Commonwealth Literature Censorship Board. Reinvention, 12(1).https://doi.org/10.31273/reinvention.v12i1.432
Hi Kristina,
Thank you for writing such an interesting post! I am curious about what kind of library you work in, school or public? I’m in a school, and we’ve never been targeted by organisations with an agenda like this but I think I would secretly love it if we were. We represent ALL our students in our collection and that is a hill I am prepared to die on!
I have never heard of the Australian Classification board writing to libraries and instructing them to remove books from their collection and was so shocked to read this. Sure enough though, a quick TROVE search revealed ZERO copies of American psycho on the shelves at my local Gold Coast Library. Some public libraries in Qld do have it, but not many.
Should adults be able to purchase a copy of American psycho if they want to? I absolutely think they should, it’s a cult-classic after all, as is Handmaid’s tale. Then-again, shoud books on bomb-making be freely available? Probably not. Such an iteresting topic and so many factors to consider.
Jen