Advocating for and supporting academic freedom

By Joanie Chavis, department head for research, instructional and engagement services, associate professor at North Carolina A&T State University

What are your concerns related to book bans and censorship in higher education and for librarianship? Why is academic freedom so important? What do you want your colleagues in higher ed to know and what can they do to help?

Libraries are considered safe places, secure places to read and meet diverse (but sometimes like-minded) people who celebrate literacy by expanding different viewpoints on learning and the scholarship of research. Readers may be more apt to read when they see stories of themselves or books that share the same looks, backgrounds, or experiences, which gives readers of different backgrounds opportunities for a richer understanding of the world that we live in.   

Censorship puts these ideals out of reach. Librarians serving in higher education institutions believe that censorship affects academic freedom, which allows for debate and argument, and leads to dynamic discussions and valuable dialogue. This gives thought to more robust teaching and learning instead of hindering the advancement of knowledge of world views and diverse communities. Academic freedom allows those from higher education institutions to press on, immersing those they serve in intellectual pursuits without fear of censorship, retaliation, or of losing their livelihoods. 

Academic librarians in higher education institutions, like their peers, play a pivotal role in providing access to a wide range of data, facts, and resources. Their professional ethics bind them to fostering critical thinking and promoting diverse and creative thought, which is essential to a comprehensive universal education. Their commitment to promoting diversity in literature is a testament to their professional dedication and the value they bring to the academic community.   

Joanie Chavis, department head for research, instructional and engagement services and an associate professor at North Carolina A&T State University

As academic librarians, we are deeply committed to the values outlined in The American Library Association Code of Ethics. This code embodies the ethical responsibilities of our profession in the ever-evolving information environment. It guides our actions and decisions, ensuring that we uphold the highest standards of professional conduct and service to our communities. We do not believe that there should be limits to academic integrity and intellectual freedom.  

While some people believe in banning books they see as unsuitable for specific audiences, librarians believe it’s their responsibility to teach how to be responsible stewards – and not gatekeepers -- in the academic realm. Diverse authors bring different perspectives from other cultures, backgrounds, and identities, and by banning their works we miss creating a more inclusive and equitable society in which we all win; a greater understanding of ideas, traditions, and ways of thinking fosters a more open-minded approach to life. 

To my colleagues in academic institutions, I know you are doing everything you can based on the code of ethics we are charged to follow.  We are responsible for standing up against censorship and continuing to teach those who are for banning books that empathy and inclusion support us all.  

As academic librarians and in higher education, we should stay abreast of our understanding and education concerning censorship, academic freedom, and book banning.  We must join in arms with our colleagues and librarianship peers to provide any required support. As academic librarians, it may be easier for us to hold discussion forums with the public and teach these ideals and what it means to support academic freedom in classes to students and those in our communities.  We should continue to write articles for the general population for better understanding or raise or secure funding to continue supporting those still oppressed and fighting the good fight against censorship in any way we can. These acts will continue to break down stereotypes and biases to promote a more inclusive worldview that supports all of us. 

About

Joanie Douglas Chavis earned her Master’s in Library and Information Science from the School of Library and Information Science at Louisiana State University (LSU), after receiving a degree in Economics from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NCAT). With a career spanning more than two decades, she has held various academic roles, including serving as an academic dean at a community college, contributing to areas such as leadership, online learning, student success, faculty instruction and university accreditation. Currently, she holds the position of department head for research, instructional and engagement services and is an associate professor at NCAT. Her research interests include leadership studies, student success and access, retention and transfer, and mentorship and succession planning for African-American women in library leadership.

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