CILIPS to partner on RSE research “More than one way to burn a book?”: Culture wars, censorship, and neutrality in Scottish public libraries
CILIPS are delighted to be supporting delivery of a Royal Society of Edinburgh funded research project led by Dr David McMenemy, CILIPS President and Reader in Information Studies at the University of Glasgow, and Professor Steven Buchanan, Professor of Human Information Behaviour at the University of Stirling and CILIPS25 keynote speaker: “More than one way to burn a book?” Culture wars, censorship, and neutrality in Scottish public libraries.
The funding comes from a RSE Collaboration Grant and will support research into the censorship challenges faced by Scottish public libraries, including the impact this has on learning, open knowledge, societal wellbeing and enrichment. Part of the research will involve undertaking a review of the censorship challenges logged across Scotland in the public library sector and the nature of these complaints.
Professional wellbeing and sector robustness to deal with these challenges will also be examined with the hope of advancing our collective understanding of the tensions that censorship generates, including the pressure to self-censor and questions around how best to uphold our profession’s ethical values of neutrality and impartiality at a time where institutional critique is increasingly in the spotlight.
CILIPS will support this research by organising workshops to support information gathering exercises and disseminate findings across the sector. Further details of opportunities for member involvement coming soon!
CILIP Scotland Director Sean McNamara says of the project:
It is essential we seek to understand how these challenges are impacting the profession. We believe this project will be an excellent way to provide analysis of this as well as improving our approach, and therefore support wider society to better deal with the so-called ‘culture wars’ that are proving so divisive.
In total, the latest RSE Research Awards Programme has provided £686,500 to 63 research projects across the cultural sector. RSE Vice President, Research, Professor Anne Anderson OBE FRSE adds:
The RSE’s Research Awards Programme is crucial in supporting Scotland’s vibrant research community. These awardees will drive forward knowledge, address global challenges, and make valuable contributions to Scottish society. On behalf of the RSE, I congratulate these outstanding researchers and their international collaborators, and I look forward to following the outcomes of their work.