Cambridge University Library is asking its librarians to draw up a list of “problematic” books so that it can decide how to deal with them, The Sunday Telegraph reports.
“We would like to hear from colleagues across Cambridge about any books you have had flagged to you as problematic (for any reason, not just in connection with decolonisation issues), so that we can compile a list of examples on the Cambridge Librarians intranet and think the problem through in more detail on the basis of that list,” a memo sent to college librarians said.
The newspaper also reports that Pembroke College advised its staff that the university is compiling examples of such books and plans to draw up guidance for librarians and readers.
A Cambridge University Library spokesman told The MailOnline,
Cambridge University Libraries do not censor, blacklist or remove content unless the content is illegal under UK law. We engage in dialogue with colleagues to help us continue to have open and honest discussions with readers about what we collect and why … We engage in dialogue with colleagues to help us continue to have open and honest discussions with readers about what we collect and why.
Nevertheless, alarms have gone off with some faculty.
“Creating an index of books that are problematic for one side of an issue – one about which both academics and the public profoundly disagree – would be a sinister development. It would undermine the University Library’s justified reputation as one of the finest institutions of its kind in the world,” Dr James Orr, a lecturer in divinity at Cambridge said.
The idea of ‘decolonising’ the university curriculum was advocated by top administrators in 2022. In 2023, former Acting Vice-Chancellor at the University Dr Anthony Freeling, who was in the role for nine months until July 2023, made it clear that such efforts had been discontinued under his leadership.
