Fighting Censorship In America, Who Are The Real Censors?

During the last half of the 20\u2711 century, the American Library Association- through the Office of Intellectual Freedom, the Freedom to Read Foundation and the Intellectual Freedom Action Network (ALAs Office 1995, 13) has emerged as one of America\u27s leading opponents of censorship and advocates of free speech. The American Library Association\u27s opposition to censorship is so absolute that it stands firmly against any library restrictions on access to books, magazines or internet sites even by children (Intellectual 1996, 84-94; cf. Berry 1998, 6; Mason 1997, I 04). There is some evidence, however, to suggest that there is a gap between the official ALA position and actual practice. This essay will survey the American Library Association\u27s position on censorship and will examine the evidence that librarians are among the chief censors