I have a clear opinion on this story.
Two Lexington, KY library workers were fired for withholding a copy of THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN: BLACK DOSSIER from an 11-year-old girl.
Actually, one of them kept the book checked out to herself for a year, keeping ANYONE from checking the book out.
It was only when the 11 yr old put a reserve on the book, that the software didn't allow her to renew the book so she was forced to involve another worker who helped her keep the book from the kid.
Her reason was the book had disturbing images and seemed inappropriate for children.
Like I said...I have a very clear opinion on this:
It is not the responsibility of the library or the librarian to censor reading material.
Recently, a patron complained of a book that had a lot of sexual situations and foul language and was shocked we carried a book like that in our library.
Again, we are not responsible for the content of a book, nor can we censor what our patrons read.
This wasn't a children's book, it was an adult story collection in the adult section of the library.
Correctly classifying a genre is the end of the library's responsibility.
Just like the book in question...it was a graphic novel, not a children's book. There is no word on whether the 11 yr old had parental permission to check out a book like that.
However, in this case, it doesn't matter because this library employee had the book for a year so no one could borrow it.
She was making the decision for everyone.
I truly believe that the parents need to be the ones paying attention to what their kids are reading just like they need to monitor what they watch on TV and what they eat.....I know I'm asking a lot of parents, aren't I?
Besides...unless the kids are reading Killing Your Parents for Dummies or The Complete Idiots Guide to Patricide, you shouldn't have such strict rules for reading materials. At least they're reading!
Most libraries have this same policy; children can only check out children's books, young adults can check out young adult books.
Adults, you're on your own. You'll have to be your own babysitter.
Librarians are not your moral leaders.
Some of them have sex(!) and tattoos.
Good you are back.
Posted by: colin at December 6, 2009 02:08 PM