LIBRARIAN´S DUALIST ATTITUDE ON CENSORSHIP PRACTICES IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

Abstract

This research investigates librarians' perspective towards censorship practices that apply in
the world of education, especially at the primary and secondary levels. This practice operates
under the pretext of keeping students from consuming information they do not deserve to
know. This practice on the other hand is against the intellectual freedom of the individual.
What is the perspective of librarians in dealing with this condition? By using the literature
study method, the research is directed at mapping censorship issues that often occur at
various levels of education and how librarians as library authorities respond to this condition.
Research findings show that controversial issues such as sex education, LGBT and violence
are issues that are often subject to censorship. Media that has experienced censorship is not
only printed media, but other media including social media. Censorship does not only occur
in classrooms by teachers, but also in libraries by librarians. Librarians managed this practice
differently, some are against censorship and support intellectual freedom through various
measures, but there are also librarians who support the practice of censorship with various
arguments. This dualist attitude seems to arise because of various factors that influence
librarians, both internal and external. Librarians' excuse against censorship is to support an
atmosphere of intellectual freedom in schools. Meanwhile, librarians who support this
practice argue because of pressure from outside themselves, such as orders from the school
environment where they work. Of course, this difference in perspective must remain within
the corridors of professionalism and the applicable code of ethics.