The New College of Florida found itself embroiled in controversy when it was revealed that hundreds of books had been dumped in a dumpster. This action sparked outrage from both supporters and critics of the college, with accusations of censorship and a cultural purge. Christopher Rufo, a DeSantis appointee to the college’s governing board, made a provocative statement about the removal of the gender studies program and the disposal of the books. The American Civil Liberties Union condemned the college for its actions, calling it a brazen act of censorship reminiscent of historical book burnings.
The college’s administrators defended their actions, stating that the books removed from the library were part of a routine culling process to get rid of old and damaged books. They also clarified that books related to the gender studies program were not thrown away, but were placed outside the library for donation to local organizations. Despite the explanation, concerns remained about the fate of the books from the gender studies program. A student who witnessed the removal of the books from the Gender and Diversity Center reported that most of the books were saved by fellow students and activists before they were thrown away.
This incident at New College of Florida comes amidst a backdrop of political and ideological changes at the institution. The college, known for its progressive values and LGBTQ+ community, has faced increasing scrutiny and pushback from conservative forces. Following changes in the college’s leadership and governing board, the gender studies program was shut down, and efforts were made to dismantle initiatives promoting diversity and equity on campus. This latest incident involving the disposal of books is seen as part of a broader effort to reshape the campus environment.
The removal of books from the Gender and Diversity Center, an independent student-run office, raised questions about the motivations behind the action. Some believe that the closure of the center contributed to the removal of its books, along with the overall restructuring of the college. Books on various subjects, including art history, psychology, slavery, Jewish stories, and the Bible, were nearly thrown out, highlighting the diversity of the collection that was at risk of being discarded. Student activists and members of the campus community protested against the disposal of the books, with some attempting to retrieve them from the dumpster.
The American Library Association’s guidelines on book removal emphasize the importance of considering the condition and relevance of books before discarding them. While it is common practice for libraries to dispose of books that are damaged or outdated, controversial books should not be removed solely for their content. The situation at New College of Florida raises questions about the handling of books and the impact of ideological shifts on academic institutions. Despite attempts to clarify the situation, concerns remain about the implications of book removal and censorship in the college environment.
