First Amendment Friendly Libraries? – Clear Sightings with Lynne Taylor

Public libraries have long been considered one of the last truly public spaces in America—a place funded by taxpayers, built to serve the entire community, and protected by the principles of free expression. But what happens when an ordinary citizen discovers those rights may not be as secure as they thought?

In this episode of Clear Sightings, Lynn Taylor—better known as the Common Core Diva—shares a personal experience that began with nothing more controversial than trying to post a flyer for her missing cat. What followed led her into an investigation of library policies, property taxes, state law, and the First Amendment itself. Whether you agree with her conclusions or not, her story raises an important question: if access to public spaces can be restricted in small ways, what does that mean for larger questions of free speech and civic participation?

North Carolina General Statute Chapter 153A, Article 14 covers my state’s libraries.

See: https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByArticle/Chapter_153A/Article_14.html

(Every State should have a ‘general statute’ in their state level government, so NC is being used as an example)

Sections 153A-272 cover free library services.

Public Library circa 1890:
https://www.ifla.org/past-wlic/2012/140-farrell-en.pdf
(When the States began to have state agencies established)

National Endowment of the Humanities on Public Libraries:
https://www.nehforall.org/
(The National Endowment for Humanities describes our public libraries as offering ‘something for everyone’ as well as being one of the few remainingfree, public places left. NEH also describes public libraries as ‘vital community space’ and as being a ‘help in serving the community as a ‘front line of awareness’.)

American Library Association’s Bill of Rights:
The “Library Bill of Rights” (covers the entire USA):
https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill

Within that LBoR, the First Amendment is championed:
https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/censorship

Intellectual Freedom is also a key part of our libraries:
https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/censorship