Princeton Library Director Addresses Recent Freedom of Speech Controversy

Linda Arntzenius

After two films shown during the third annual Human Rights Film Festival sparked controversy, the Princeton Public Library added a disclaimer to its press releases and publicity materials.

The statement — "Opinions expressed during programming at Princeton Public Library do not necessarily reflect the views of the library, its staff, trustees or supporters" — highlights the problem of censorship for public institutions engaged in access to information.

"Many trustees had assumed that the neutrality of the library as a place open to all people and all ideas was obvious to all," said Library Board President Katherine McGavern. "But a group of concerned individuals took issue with some of the films included in the recent Human Rights Film Festival and that made it obvious to us that a statement was needed."

According to Library Director Leslie Burger, the statement was developed in response to accusations questioning the objectivity of some library staff members.

"We felt that what had gone without saying before, now needed to be stated to counter any potential questions about our programming choices," said Ms. Burger.

"The statement is a simple reminder to the community and provides us with an opportunity to make our policy clear to the community, to clarify our neutrality in the most inclusive and welcoming sense," said Ms. McGavern. "The library means to be a common ground, the Switzerland of Princeton."

Recent Controversy

Two documentary films shot in Cuba, The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil and Salud! What Puts Cuba on the Map in the Quest for Global Health Care, set off a storm of protest when they were included in the three-day festival, which was attended by over 750 people who watched and discussed 16 films shot on location in Africa, South America, Asia, Central America, and the United States.

After comments on the Internet criticizing the library for showing propaganda that did not accurately reflect life in Cuba, and that failed to address human rights violations there, Ms. Burger said the film festival committee had no intention of glorifying Cuba and that the films had been chosen because of the issues they addressed and represented a launching point for discussion on alternatives to petroleum-based energy and the right to universal health care.

As the controversy continued with letters to the editor from local residents and Internet commentary from members of the American Library Association, one Borough resident wrote in support of the library: "If some of these films provoke criticism, I hope the library will take that as an indication that they're doing their job of promoting free speech and open discussion, which I believe is central to the library's mission."

While also expressing his support and decrying the criticisms of "anti-Castroites," Township resident Gerald Groves expressed concern that as library director, Ms. Burger had not been forceful enough in her defense of the library, which he described as "ambivalent and flaccid."

Disagreeing with this characterization, Ms. Burger responded: "I was fully aware that both the films and speaker would spur controversy but remained steadfast in upholding the library's right to screen the films."

"We could have made a decision to pull the films in light of the reaction, but we felt that it was important for people to practice free expression," she said.

"As director of the library I believe it is my responsibility to uphold the freedom of people to read, view and listen to what they want, which is full in line with the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights, Freedom to Read, and Freedom to View Statements.

"The Princeton Public Library has taken on a variety of difficult topics in its program offerings over the years. Not everyone may agree with the issues discussed or the way in which they are portrayed either in film, discussion or books but we strongly believe that it is our responsibility to encourage civic debate about tough issues so that everyone in our community can be informed and able to participate in our democracy."

The Festival planning committee consisting of library staff members Pamela Groves, Martha Perry, Barbara Silberstein, and Susan Conlon, along with volunteers Annie Colvin, Susan Roth, and Virginia Kerr, who prescreened the 16 films.

Computer Controls

The controversy raises the question of how does a public library engaged in the unfettered access to information and in presenting a wide range of opinions on all matters deal with such censorship issues as parental concerns regarding access to material inappropriate for young children.

Until recently the library did not provide filtering software on any of its 100 public computers because filtering software was "imperfect," blocking constitutionally protected content as well as content deemed by some to be objectionable.

Today, most of the library's public computers remain unblocked except for 12 located in the children's area, which now uses an open source filtering program obtained from another library to block content and images considered inappropriate for the age group.

"Our decision to install the software on these computers was in response to parental complaints," said Ms. Burger. "We recognize that some of the content on today's web sites is controversial and inappropriate for minors so we decided to segregate these 12 computers."

However, Ms. Burger pointed out, children and young adults may still access unfiltered content in certain areas of the third floor and elsewhere in the building. "It is important to note that parents are ultimately the people who need to teach their children and teens about what is appropriate for viewing on the web and that filters are still imperfect and not a good substitute for parental control."

"Librarians work hard to limit censorship or attempts to speech or access to information," commented Ms. Burger in an interview with Town Topics. "Throughout my three decades of involvement in the American Library Association and in my role as president I have spoken publicly in many arenas this year about the need to preserve these freedoms. The ALA has been in the forefront on protecting the public's right to know, privacy, and the other rights and privileges associated with free speech throughout its history but most recently in its lawsuits against the government with regard to the Child Internet Protection Act and the US Patriot Act. I am proud to have been part of these efforts."

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