FAIR News: Introducing the Library Neutrality Fund
Newsletter
Dear Friends of FAIR:
In March we reported an unsettling scenario that unfolded at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library in Ontario, Canada. Cathy Simpson, the library’s long-time CEO, was fired after publishing an article expressing her commitment to the pluralistic curation of books and intellectual freedom. For defending these critical, foundational principles, and merely for being associated with FAIR, Cathy lost her job and her livelihood—just 3 years short of her retirement.
Alarmingly, Cathy’s experience is a symptom of a contagion that is quietly infecting libraries across the United States and Canada: the shadow banning of books is on the rise, intellectual liberty and pluralism are under fire, and advocates for library neutrality are muzzled. These disturbing trends, which have been underway for more than a decade, are well known to librarians but have remained largely hidden from the general public.
FAIR aims to change this.
FAIR has always been deeply committed to library neutrality, but going forward we will double down on our efforts to expose these destructive policies in our public libraries and explore ways to expand our FAIR in Libraries network in Canada and the U.S. We will also highlight stories from library professionals who have firsthand experience with the ideological capture of this important civic institution.
This week we will launch FAIR’s Library Neutrality Fund to further our efforts to support librarians who advocate for diversity of thought and the freedom to read. In addition, FAIR will award grants to support brave advocates like Cathy Simpson who face intimidation, cancellation, and joblessness for courageously safeguarding the liberal values that make public libraries one of the most valuable bastions of freedom. Thanks to a generous benefactor who has already contributed to this Fund, we’re off to a great start!
We hope you will join us and support our efforts to save our public libraries by donating to FAIR’s Library Neutrality Fund now!
Warmly,
The Team at FAIR
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Great needed initiative! If not already available, I suggest FAIR develop a package for members (or anyone) to present to their library board that includes FAIR's Library Neutrality rationale, a list of neutrality principles/guidelines and a proposed board motion for adoption of these policies. This could greatly leverage FAIR's efforts IMO.
The ultimate censorship. Great project Fair!