Comments on: The Fiske Report

By: The Fiske Report « Alabama Library Expo

The Fiske Report « Alabama Library Expo — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 07:20:50 +0000

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By: ellie

ellie — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 23:16:51 +0000

Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed. And thanks for the reference to other fields. That’s an excellent point that this is a broader topic.

By: ellie

ellie — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 23:14:16 +0000

Thanks for the correction Cindy!

I would still think ALA would have been interested based on the topic alone, but also the positive critical reception. However, the fact that it was the California Library Association’s IFC and not ALA’s IFC obviously makes a big difference.

The quote I used was referring to ALA’s IFC expressing interest in 1953, but that original source continues on to the CLA’s IFC being the one to actually push it through. My apologies to all for missing that very clear distinction in my note taking.

And I would of course love to read anything else on the subject.

By: Cindy Mediavilla

Cindy Mediavilla — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 22:58:08 +0000

Thanks for this very thorough overview of Fiske’s report. I, too, have long been fascinated by her study, which, though it was very much a product of its time, still has relevance today.

Perhaps the reason ALA didn’t comment much on the report when it came out was because ALA didn’t commission it. Instead, it was the California Library Association’s (CLA) Intellectual Freedom Committee that initially broached the topic of a statewide study of the effect of censorship on California libraries. When the liberal foundation Fund for the Republic (itself under investigation for communist ties) agreed to fund the study, CLA got cold feet, but did end up partnering with UC Berkeley to see the project through. I would be happy to forward you other research on Fiske if interested.

By: Jeff Scott

Jeff Scott — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:49:44 +0000

This is a wonderful article on library history. It’s amazing how little things change. I particularly liked the semantic convenience of balance as a rationale for book selection.

I also remember an interview with Rod Serling describing what he called “pre-censorship” people removing parts from a tv script that would be challenged. Librarians do that even today.

Lack of self-esteemd as a barrier to library advocacy. I wonder if a similar survey was conducted if we would find too different results as a whole.

Wonderful article, thank you again!