For Every Book Their Reader: Book Challenges and Library Trauma

Abstract

Since 2021, public and school libraries have become the frontlines of a cultural war. Regardless of the political tendency of the local area, material challenges have been submitted against libraries nationwide. When library workers handle material challenges, under the principle of intellectual freedom, they have often faced retaliatory actions from political groups, such as online attacks on them organized by political groups and budget cuts targeting the libraries. These challenges may create stress and trauma for library workers, both in the action of the banning, and the anticipation of it. For librarians experiencing trauma or at higher risk of exposure to traumatic events, this poster aims to illustrate a library trauma cycle within the context of material challenges. It highlights how library workers face an increased likelihood of trauma when material challenges are prevailing in the nation and how the internalization of trauma occurs within the context of the library and its community. The poster then suggests possible interventions to halt the library trauma cycle, calling for action from library administrators and board members.