Increasingly, across the United States, public libraries such as the Carnegie Library, have been seeing themselves at the center of what some people frame as a ‘culture war.’ While this isn’t an entirely new narrative, this current wave of criticism raises important debates about how libraries choose which books to keep and which to discard, and the type of events they host.
The controversy focuses on alleged Left-wing bias in libraries, with critics claiming that conservative voices are being systematically undervalued or ignored. These critics allege that libraries, seen by many as a pillar of democracy, serving to educate the public free of charge, are becoming too politically motivated. They accuse libraries of favoring books with leftist or progressive themes, creating a skewed representation of today’s society and possibly spreading ‘dangerous’ ideas. These critics argue that the diversity libraries claim to uphold is being compromised, with ideologies that feature prominently in modern society being disregarded if they do not fit a specific political narrative.
As reported by American Libraries Magazine, the library profession is overwhelmingly liberal, but the allegations that libraries are systemically biased have been largely dismissed.
Defenders of libraries argue that their book selection is influenced not by a political agenda, but by user demand and literary quality. They argue that the function of libraries goes beyond just keeping books—it’s about providing a safe space for thought, discussion, and interaction, and fostering a sense of community. According to this view, libraries cater to the needs of their communities, which are increasingly diverse, and therefore require a broad and inclusive range of content. Furthermore, defenders point out that libraries are constantly under financial constraints and, therefore, make pragmatic decisions based on popularity and demand when deciding which books to stock.
This isn’t the first time libraries have been accused of bias, but it’s a debate that looks set to continue as our society becomes more polarized. It raises crucial questions about the role of libraries in today’s increasingly divided societies, and about who gets to decide what knowledge is ‘worth’ disseminating among the public. For now, American libraries continue to fiercely defend their place as cornerstone institutions of democracy, committed to providing access to knowledge for all, regardless of political persuasion.