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Book Riot and the EveryLibrary Institute fielded a three-part survey in Fall 2023 to parents asking about their perceptions of school and public libraries, librarians, and book bans. The results are surprising, informative, and even troubling. We believe the insights from the surveys are actionable and should be part of the advocacy discussion for MLS/MLIS, i-School, and school library students and faculty. Current students and faculty are invited to view a discussion with EveryLibrary Institute Executive Director John Chrastka and Book Riot Editor Kelly Jensen as they unpack the top-level findings.
Our November 2023 survey, "Parents' Perceptions of Librarians," was the first comprehensive survey about the way that school librarians and public librarians are viewed during the current censorship crisis. We asked significant questions about the image of librarians, the level of trust parents place in library professionals, and comparables of other public-sector professions to librarianship. This webinar is a must-see for current library students concerned with the profession's future and for faculty charged with the formation of the next generation of library professionals.
Taken together, the three surveys are a study in contradictions. The findings indicate that most American parents are opposed to book bans and censorship. They value the expertise of librarians in both school and public library settings. They believe that library professionals play an important role in helping children navigate sensitive content. However, the survey also revealed societal divisions on how to handle sensitive topics in literature and education settings. While some parents believe that books containing sensitive content should be banned entirely from libraries and others believe that they should be available with appropriate age ratings or parental guidance, many parents are not uncomfortable with these themes. They would allow their children access at any age. These responses underscore the complexity of public opinion compared to the more polarized views often presented by so-called parents' rights groups.