At my local public library, I could request books to be bought and put on the shelves. I was allowed to host open mic nights in middle school where I and other friends would read poetry and whatever else, free of censorship. Civil engagement through the library was easier than a lot of other public institutions, because while librarians curate, they also have the job of catering to their audience, and respecting requests.

The library became a sanctuary for me after school as it meant I could avoid abuse back home and have a less surveilled access to information such as books, wikis, news, protest music, games, etc. which I was able to later take back home or to other places and consume without fear of reprimand. It was also a third place, where I could meet people, gather people and engage with my community.

> They're not banned. But the books on display at my local branch library are curated by dangerous librarians I want nothing to do with.

Did you persistently try to civically engage with your local library over time and form a personal, positive relationship with the librarians? If so, and if denied, did you seek restitution in city hall or by contacting local congressmen? Or are you just complaining?

>> I was allowed to host open mic nights in middle school where I and other friends would read poetry and whatever else, free of censorship

That's nice. Keep it down though, we're trying to read books in here.

I'm beginning to suspect we have completely incompatible ideas of what a library is.

A public library is a third space where ideas can be accessed and exchanged, and a focal point where the community can civically engage. In the past, that has mostly meant books, which have been a great way of archiving things, but many public libraries also have rooms for listening to music, watching films, or at least renting them to take home.

Many public libraries also welcome and encourage open mics if they have space to host them without affecting others. In my case, it was a small library in a small town, so I hosted the open mic after hours with the grace of the librarians who worked there, who were more than happy to encourage literacy through poetry.

>> A public library is a third space where ideas can be accessed and exchanged, and a focal point where the community can civically engage

I'm beginning to suspect we have completely incompatible ideas of what a library is.

For me it is mostly about access to books.

A public library is different than a regular library, as an institution it has a rich history in what I've described. You can still access books.

I'm beginning to suspect we have completely incompatible ideas of what a library is.

Yes, and I'm trying to enlighten you on the historical purpose of the institution so that you have a better understanding of what a library is, instead of just relying on a personal feeling or opinion.

I would much rather have a person who has gone to school to study childhood education and library science choosing books for the library, than randos trying to force their religion on everybody else's kids.

I'm an adult. I don't need someone who has studied childhood education to tell me what books to read, for fucks sake.

Sorry, I was taking about school libraries.

For your public library, if they get requests for books, they get the books. Lots of people want to read fantasy romance, so those are the books they buy. Hardly anybody requests the anarchist's cookbook, so they rely on interlibrary loan to get it when someone wants it. They buy the books that are popular. This isn't rocket science.

Just about any book you want is going to be available. This is what libraries do.

>> Just about any book you want is going to be available. This is what libraries do

There's a difference between the books that are available and the books that are on display.

I can make a request and put a hold and get a book from the stacks at the central library. That's not something the typical browser of books on a library shelf is going to do. I do it now, I never did growing up. What was on the shelves was the Overton window for me growing up. I break windows now, now I can consider any viewpoints I choose. Go get me the book from the stacks, librarian.

What librarians do today is to promote propaganda for a certain cause. It's just so self destructive of them to do that, but that's what they do.

A change is going to come.

Could you be more specific? What cause do you think they are propagandizing? How big does this conspiracy go? And when do you think it started?