The New College of Florida has recently sparked outrage following reports of hundreds of books from its library being discarded. Activists claim this mass culling of literature signifies the school’s shift under new leadership and reflects broader educational censorship trends.
Local activist group Social Equity Through Education Alliance (SEE) reported seeing numerous books being thrown away, with some estimates reaching thousands. Executive director Zander Moricz noted the heartbreaking sight of various narratives, particularly those focused on diversity and LGBTQ+ themes, being sent to the dump.
"There were Bibles, as well as stories from Black, Latin, and female authors, among others, all discarded. It sends the message New College wants to eliminate discussions around gender and diversity," he lamented.
The college responded to these allegations, emphasizing its procedure for weeding out outdated, damaged, or irrelevant materials. They stated, "Chapter 273 of Florida statutes precludes New College from selling, donating or transferring these materials, which were purchased with state funds. Deselected materials are discarded through a recycling process when possible."
According to their official statement, some of the removed literature came from the school's discontinued Gender Studies program. New College affirmed some of these texts were never part of their official collection and were left behind without retrieval from their previous location.
New College, located in Sarasota, has been at the center of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis's campaign against what he describes as “woke” institutions. Through aggressive policies he has implemented, he has aimed to reshape the college’s reputation and staff to align more with conservative values.
DeSantis restructured the Board of Trustees, bringing on individuals like Chris Rufo, known for opposing diversity initiatives. His administration also saw significant reductions of faculty and dismantling of programs focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
On the other side of the Atlantic, UK schools are also experiencing censorship similar to what’s taking place at New College. An investigation by Index on Censorship revealed over half of UK school librarians were pressured to remove LGBT+ literature from their shelves after receiving complaints.
Specific books such as This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson and Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love faced removal. The impact of these actions is significant, as MPs and authors alike express fears of reverting to past prejudices.
Former MP Elliot Colburn described the removal of such material as dangerous for LGBT+ youth. He stated, “Not allowing children access to books reflecting their experiences is alarming.”
Librarians reported feeling intimidated, with some fearing for their jobs if they did not comply with requests to remove specific titles. Documented reactions include covert book loans and harassment from displeased parents concerning what books children were exposed to.
Some school staff have revealed mounting pressure from senior management to keep books hidden from public view. Responses from the librarian community indicate growing alarm over the delicate nature of maintaining inclusive resources amid rising requests for censorship.
One librarian pointed out how even the questioning of certain texts has led to significant retaliation from those opposed to LGBT+ representation. Another stated simply, "If one parent complains, the book's gone,” highlighting the arbitrary nature of these removals.
Beyond individual complaints, broader organizations also influence this trend. Events like Drag Queen Story Hour have seen protests and backlash, with claims spiraling from extremist groups mirroring tactics found within the U.S.
The rise of book burning and banning movements is not just limited to the U.S., as the UK also grapples with similar pressures. Advocates, including those from Stonewall, describe the growing intimidation as particularly damaging to both LGBT+ visibility and the wider educational framework.
Efforts for more guidance to help librarians navigate these issues are gaining momentum. Advocacy groups push for systemic changes empowering schools to provide comprehensive representation across their collections.
Overall, both the New College of Florida's situation and the reported incidents within UK schools shine light on the significant challenges facing educational institutions today. The threat of censorship looms large, creating tension between administrative policies, parental pressures, and the need for inclusive education.
This worrying pattern shows no signs of slowing, demanding urgent conversations about the value and role of literature representing diverse communities.
