Running Head: BIBLE COLLEGE CENSORSHIP 1

Transcription

1 Running Head: BIBLE COLLEGE CENSORSHIP 1 The Censorship Issue as Viewed in Libraries Serving Small Bible Colleges Christine Gaskin Valdosta State University

2 BIBLE COLLEGE CENSORSHIP 2 Abstract The American Library Association (ALA) has long been an advocate of intellectual freedom with definite views on censorship. This study will seek to answer questions on how libraries at small Bible colleges help the students prepare for their future occupation. and what measures are taken to address issues of intellectual freedom and censorship within these libraries while still adhering to the guidelines of the parent institutions. A purposive sample of ten librarians at small Bible colleges (those with an FTE (full time equivalency) of less than 1000) will be drawn from the Association of Christian Librarians site in order to gain contacts. A survey of open-ended questions formulated to elicit information on collection development policy and collection challenges will be conducted. Information will be extracted and categorized into common themes. This information may be valuable to help librarians in Christian colleges cope with providing students with information covering different views while remaining within the parameters of the institution.

3 BIBLE COLLEGE CENSORSHIP 3 The Censorship Issue as Viewed in Small Bible Colleges Introduction Libraries in educational institutions provide an important support to both faculty and students. The issues of intellectual freedom and censorship that have previously plagued this type of institution have been seen as a hindrance to providing students with wellgrounded instruction. Librarians at small Bible colleges have a dual responsibility when fulfilling student needs. First, they must provide sufficiently diverse information to enable students to search out what are actually truths from the many religious views of the world so they are certain in their basic beliefs and can pass them on to others they will be serving. Next, the librarian must remain within the limitations of the parent institution. Earlier studies evidenced a need for the libraries to have a clear collection development policy and a system to field challenges that may arise. Less than fifty percent polled possessed these (Hippenhammer, 1993). This study will investigate a sample of this type of library and relate methods librarians are using to deal with this issue and the possible successes they have found. Definitions Small Bible college will be defined as a college under the authority of a Christian church denomination that has an enrollment FTE of less than 1,000.

4 BIBLE COLLEGE CENSORSHIP 4 Literature Review Libraries play an important role in the student s success in education. A prominent issue that must be dealt with is intellectual freedom and censorship. This is a particularly sensitive subject in small Bible colleges. Studies involving these institutions are few, and findings from those studies vary. The Library Bill of Rights from the American Library Association (ALA) is the standard in measuring a library s stance on intellectual freedom. Several studies conducted over many years investigated various aspects of this issue (Dahl, 1988; Hippenhammer, (1993); Smith, 2003; Oppenheim & Smith, 2004). A research endeavor by Charles Oppenheim and Victoria Smith (2004) investigated the issue of library censorship. They advocate a stronger push of ALA s organizations to include all libraries in their views. Using an individual and representatives from three organizations they surveyed this group with a questionnaire of open-ended questions on censorship. They concluded that the definition of censorship, though ambiguous, does not change the librarian s role of facilitating access to information without hindrance and that the ALA and its divisions and partner organizations should press for greater awareness and increased support in their fight against censorship. This is the basis of the research on American Bible Colleges conducted by Katherine Dahl (1988). Though she did not have this study to consult, her study was aligned with these same principles of the secular organization s views on intellectual freedom. Wherever these private college libraries deviated from complete commitment to the Library Bill of Rights, her derision was clear. Even so, she concluded

5 BIBLE COLLEGE CENSORSHIP 5 that most of the Bible college libraries resisted censorship and defended intellectual freedom. There must be a reason for the apparent ambiguity in the definition of censorship and the answer to the question as to why there is such controversy between the world of secular libraries and that of Bible colleges. Gregory A. Smith (2003) attempts to fill this gap and explain why Bible colleges do not fit into the ALA s ideal of intellectual freedom. From his research into various studies on evangelical Christian views on intellectual freedom, he concludes that there is an incompatibility between the secular and Bible colleges due to the view of each on morality. The secular shuns any standard of morality, whereas the Bible college feels a responsibility to instill morality in its students. Dahl (1988) found that not all libraries seemed to be fully committed to intellectual freedom; therefore there was no unity in fighting censorship. Her research findings reflect a need for libraries to have a policy regarding intellectual freedom and censorship in place. Hippenhammer (1993) conducted a survey of conservative Christian college libraries in the United States and Canada concerning their policies and procedures, their support of The Library Bill of Rights and the nature of challenges, selection of controversial materials, intellectual freedom definitions and level of librarian education. He found that fifty percent of these libraries have no written policy in which to guide challenges and suggests a reconsideration form be added with the challenge guide and collection development policy. Also, he advises including a unit on intellectual freedom in bibliographic instruction classes so students may be trained on the subject. Each of these studies illustrates, in some way, the need to address the issue of intellectual freedom and censorship with written policies and student instruction. In small

6 BIBLE COLLEGE CENSORSHIP 6 Bible colleges the institutional goals and principles add a different facet to the mix, challenging librarians in seeking to uphold intellectual freedom standards while following the desires of the college. The differences between secular and Christian views should not be decided by one for the other. Instead, information research should lead the seeker to an answer to his information needs. Purpose The purpose of this study is to discover how small Bible college librarians are coping with providing students with the information they need in their search for truth. In order to study the library s obligation to equip students for their future, it is necessary to understand how these libraries deal with the issue of censorship and intellectual freedom while staying within the parameters of its parent institution. Research Questions There are two questions that this study will seek to answer: 1) Do libraries at small Bible colleges help the students prepare for their future occupation? 2) Can intellectual freedom within libraries in Bible Colleges co-exist with the mission of the parent institution? Methodology In this qualitative study I will employ Grounded Theory method of gathering and interpreting information. By making use of the Association of Christian Librarians site s communication line, I will solicit volunteer librarians from small Bible colleges to complete a survey of

7 BIBLE COLLEGE CENSORSHIP 7 open-ended questions available from January to March Due to time constraints should there be a large number of volunteers; ten will be selected with a focus on a diverse denominational grouping. The questions will be formulated gather evidence on their collection development policies and collection challenges. Using content analysis the responses will be coded to extract like themes for interpretation. Conclusion The issues of intellectual freedom and censorship are important to all libraries as evidenced by their inclusion in The Library Bill of Rights by ALA. In small Bible colleges librarians may find them especially challenging. I hope to find that a greater percentage of libraries have appropriate policies in place and that their inclusion has increased their ability to function more smoothly allowing the communication lines with faculty and students to be open and active. This study should provide guidance on systems that are presently being used successfully and allow for a justifiably broad collection with institutional approval and options to facilitate diversity in the students educational requirements. Though this information will help struggling Bible college librarians, it is apparent that more study is needed delving deeper and engaging student and faculty views as well as librarians.

8 BIBLE COLLEGE CENSORSHIP 8 References Dahl, K. (1988). Intellectual freedom stands of American Bible college libraries: Taken or not taken. Retrieved from Hippenhammer, C. (1993, November 1). Patron objections to library materials: A survey of Christian college libraries Part I. The Christian Librarian. 37(1), Hippenhammer, C. (1994, February 1). Patron objections to library materials: A survey of Christian college libraries Part II. The Christian Librarian. 37(2), Oppenheim, C. and Smith, V. (2004). Censorship in libraries. Information Services & Use. 24, Smith, G. A. (2003, December 31). Intellectual freedom and the Bible college library. Faculty Publications and Presentations. Paper 8. Retrieved from