“Impart Information Unsparingly"

Exploring how abortion information is shared in a post-Dobbs country

Abstract

Abortion is not only a reproductive health issue, but an information access concern. With the U.S. Supreme Court's repeal of Roe v. Wade in June 2022, abortion has been banned or heavily restricted in at least 18 states. This includes Wisconsin where an 1849 law has halted clinical abortions in the Badger state. Research conducted by the Society of Family Planning found that in the immediate aftermath of the Supreme Court's decision, clinical abortion in Wisconsin plummeted by 100%. This means that people seeking an abortion must search for abortion care out-of-state or through self-managed options.

The purpose of this poster presentation is to discuss the role of information professionals in sharing abortion information in a post-Dobbs country. This poster will explore several concepts: abortion information as an intellectual freedom issue; the role of public librarians and in sharing abortion information, and legislation that relates to abortion information. This poster will include an overview of previously collected data, as well as explain future research plans. This poster presentation will help information professionals consider how libraries and information organizations can share abortion information.