Covert censorship in libraries: a discussion paper

Abstract

Librarians, through their professional associations, have long been committed to the social justice principle embedded in the concept of ‘free access to information’. External censorship challenges to library collections threaten this principle overtly. However, censorship can also occur in libraries in various covert and often unconcious ways. This discussion paper raises concerns about current practices and processes which can effectively censor library collections from within. The paper concludes by highlighting areas of practice in which librarians need to be vigilant for such covert censorship.