The US library system, once the best in the world, faces death by a thousand cuts | Brewster Kahle

In addition to political censorship and budget cuts, libraries are being undermined by rapacious digital licensing agreements

The US library system, once the model for the world, is under assault from politicians, rightwing activists and corporate publishers. Book bans are at record levels, and libraries across the country are facing catastrophic budget cuts, a fate only narrowly avoided by New York City's public libraries this summer. In a separate line of attack, library collections are being squeezed by draconian licensing deals, and even sued to stop lending digitized books.

This war on libraries - and on the traditional values of equal opportunity, universal education and cultural preservation they represent - directly contravenes the will of the majority in the United States. Polls reveal that public support for libraries is as strong as ever. But the profession of librarianship has become a hazardous one, because of the actions of a hostile minority. It's time to reverse course.