Current forms of resistance to book censorship

Abstract

Objective: This study reflects on recent movements for book censorship and on acts of resistance both at home and abroad with a view to raise awareness in the librarian community not only to acts of censorship but also to necessary action to confront and resist them.

Method: This is an exploratory study with a qualitative approach based on Michel Foucault's theoretical-methodological perspective. It focuses on statements found in reports on book and library-related censorship. The analyzed corpus consists of news articles from national and international media from the years 2020 through 2022.

Result: Our survey presents cases of censorship from Kuwait, the United States, and Brazil. We noticed censorship both prior to a book launch as well as the banning of books already available in libraries, particularly school and public libraries, as demanded by a segment of the local community. In view of the accounts we gathered and reflected on, we list ten forms of resistance to the current censorship of books and other bibliographic productions.

Conclusions: Despite constant attacks on freedom of expression and thought, such as on books one might wish to read, different acts of resistance and confrontation can be observed. Either by local communities that unite to protect libraries and the books therein, or by professionals and organizations linked to the librarian community that have been tireless in the fight for the preservation of rights. We highlight the importance of a free and independent press as a pillar of democracy as well as the need for unity and for a strengthening of the bonds between libraries, their communities, and the field of Library Science so that acts of censorship be denounced and fought against.