Book Groups Applaud Leahy Call to Restore Privacy

Organizations representing booksellers, librarians, publishers and writers on Dec. 19 welcomed Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy’s call for the “restoration, repair and renewal” of civil liberties in the United States, including new legislation to repair the “erosion of privacy.” “Privacy rights belong to the people, not the government,” Leahy said during a speech at Georgetown Law School in Washington, D.C. Leahy, who will become chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee in January, promised that his committee would lead the way. “We will take an active role–and, I hope, a bipartisan role–in charting a new course,” he said.  Leaders of the Campaign for Reader Privacy expressed the hope that Leahy’s emphasis on protecting privacy will translate into early action by the Senate to restore privacy safeguards for bookstore and library records that were eliminated by the USA Patriot Act.  “Booksellers everywhere are grateful for Senator Leahy’s interest in restoring privacy, and we will do everything we can to help build bipartisan support for his position,” Oren Teicher, the chief operating officers of the American Booksellers Association said.  To read more, click here.

Free Speech Groups Win Massachusetts School Fight

ABFFE and the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) welcomed a Massachusetts school district’s decision to overrule its book review committee by retaining a controversial book from six-grade classes. The book, So Far from the Bamboo Grove by Yoko Kawashima Watkins, which has been taught at Dover-Sherborn Regional Schools in Massachusetts for thirteen years without incident, was criticized by parents who claimed that the book portrays Koreans in an unfavorable light and presents an unbalanced account of historical events. The Dover-Sherborn School Committee voted on Jan. 2 to retain the book and to provide additional historical background in the class sessions that address the book. “The School Committee made a wise decision that addressed complaints about So Far From the Bamboo Curtain without resorting to censorship.” ABFFE President Chris Finan said. “We are delighted that sixth graders in the Dover-Sherborn schools will continue to be able to read a wonderful book.”  In a letter addressed to the school superintendent and the school committee, ABFFE, NCAC and other free speech groups protested the proposed removal of the novel.  To read the full letter, click here.  To read more, click here.

ABFFE Urges Booksellers to Post Free Speech Pledge

ABFFE is urging booksellers to post a new statement proclaiming their support for free speech and reader privacy. The statement–titled “To Our Customers”–explains why booksellers believe it is important to carry a wide diversity of books, including works that some people may find offensive. It also promises customers that the bookstore will protect the privacy of their book purchases. “There are many good reasons for making a clear statement of store policy on First Amendment issues,” ABFFE President Chris Finan said. “It makes the point that one of the most important roles of a bookstore is to protect free speech. It helps build support for the store and for free speech. It also can be useful in dealing with customers who may be offended by a particular book by reminding them that bookstores exist to serve the entire community.”  To read more, click here.  To download the statements, click here.