[Michlib-l] Michlib-l Digest, Vol 44, Issue 14

Thu Jun 14 12:57:09 EDT 2018

Don,

The ALA Intellectual Freedom Committee created an interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights on that topic fairly recently. Here's a link if you haven't seen it. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations/religion

Religion in American Libraries | Advocacy, Legislation & Issues<http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations/religion>
www.ala.org
The First Amendment guarantees the right of individuals to believe and practice their religion or practice no religion at all and prohibits government from establishing or endorsing a religion or religions. Thus the freedom of, for and from religion, are similarly guaranteed.

There is also a Q & A on the topic. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/religionfaq From my brief reading of it and memory of the creation, if it's an outside group putting up the display, you need to offer the same opportunity to other groups. If they choose not to take advantage of that opportunity, that's fine, as long as it's available.

Religion in American Libraries: Questions and Answers | Advocacy, Legislation & Issues<http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/religionfaq>
www.ala.org
Religion, American Libraries, This Q & A provides guidance to libraries and librarians in protecting First Amendment rights to five freedoms: freedom of the press, speech, petition, assembly and religion. Courts have consistently held that for freedom of the press and speech to be meaningful, people must have the right to receive information: that is, to read, view, hear or access what they choose. In addition, the freedom of (and for) religion has been understood to include both the right of individuals to believe and practice their religion and the right of individuals and the state to be free from religion.

Hope that helps!

Janet T. O'Keefe
Librarian
Flint Public Library
1026 E. Kearsley
Flint  MI  48503
810-232-7111

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Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2018 12:00 PM
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Subject: Michlib-l Digest, Vol 44, Issue 14

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Message: 9
Date: Thu, 14 Jun 2018 09:55:00 -0600
From: Don Priest <dpriest at southgate.lib.mi.us>
To: michlib-l <michlib-l at mcls.org>
Subject: [Michlib-l] Religion in the library
Message-ID:
        <544464963.26771.1528991700664.JavaMail.zimbra at southgate.lib.mi.us>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Hi, hoping to get some feedback on a patron complaint. He took issue with a Nativity that gets put up in front of the library every year, and it's got me wondering if we're implicitly supporting one religion over another. The library isn't actually responsible for the Nativity, but it's easy to see why people would think we are. We also put up a Christmas tree every year, and though it has no religious iconography, I'm wondering if we should avoid it in the future. My research has led me to believe we're not out of line, but religion can be a touchy issue. I'm interested to hear from anyone who has fielded similar complaints, or has a deeper understanding of the issue. I'm asking around here about the Nativity, just to make sure I have all the facts.

He also took issue with a Pride Month display we have up, as evil according to his religion. I'm not planning on taking that down, but if anyone has answered a similar challenge I would appreciate hearing how it went.

Don Priest
Southgate Veterans Memorial Library
14680 Dix-Toledo Rd.
Southgate, MI 48195
734-258-3002 ext. 3003
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Message: 10
Date: Thu, 14 Jun 2018 15:59:39 +0000
From: Anne Oyerly <oyerly at andrews.edu>
To: Don Priest <dpriest at southgate.lib.mi.us>, "michlib-l at mcls.org"
        <michlib-l at mcls.org>
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Religion in the library
Message-ID: <1528991979352.46878 at andrews.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

A bit puzzled about why you would leave up the Pride Month display, but worry about the Nativity?  Seems like both reflect cultural values of American society.

If you really want to make it appear that you are not supporting one religion over another, I would focus on adding displays from other belief systems, not taking away one.

Just my opinion.

Anne Oyerly

Building & Stacks Manager

James White Library

Andrews University?

________________________________
From: michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org <michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org> on behalf of Don Priest via Michlib-l <michlib-l at mcls.org>
Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2018 10:55 AM
To: michlib-l
Subject: [Michlib-l] Religion in the library

Hi, hoping to get some feedback on a patron complaint.  He took issue with a Nativity that gets put up in front of the library every year, and it's got me wondering if we're implicitly supporting one religion over another.  The library isn't actually responsible for the Nativity, but it's easy to see why people would think we are.  We also put up a Christmas tree every year, and though it has no religious iconography, I'm wondering if we should avoid it in the future.  My research has led me to believe we're not out of line, but religion can be a touchy issue. I'm interested to hear from anyone who has fielded similar complaints, or has a deeper understanding of the issue.  I'm asking around here about the Nativity, just to make sure I have all the facts.

He also took issue with a Pride Month display we have up, as evil according to his religion.  I'm not planning on taking that down, but if anyone has answered a similar challenge I would appreciate hearing how it went.

Don Priest
Southgate Veterans Memorial Library
14680 Dix-Toledo Rd.
Southgate, MI 48195
734-258-3002 ext. 3003
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