From: Kelley E. Wade <telliboo>
Date: Thu, 23 Jun 2005 18:43:57 -0700 (PDT)

Wow. This is the second time today that I have sat at my computer for HOURS going through all of these messages. First off, thumbs up to the majority of the bookpeople out there who appear to believe that there are places for all kinds of books on the shelves. It seems that many of us are trying to do what we can to make them available, are using the best judgement we can when determining their proper place, and are trying to guide readers, be they our children, students or patrons, in the best direction for each individual. Every book isn;t for every person - but chances are, there are a few people that really will connect with certain books. OTherwise, just a few comments. Sorry they are so scattered - I've been trying to make notes along the way as I read, but don't know that I succeeded....

Profanity: When I taught several years ago, kids would be shocked by a "hell" or "damn".?we?d discuss why the author might have chosen to use that word? Was it appropriate to the character, or the situation? After enough discussions, they started to realize that the author (in this case, Paulsen, if I remember correctly) had used that word for a REASON, not just to get a reaction out of kids like them, and it no longer had the massive impact that it had originally. Some authors may be using certain words for shock value, but perhaps kids need to learn to analyze that.

GLBT : I?ve heard of some libraries that have a no-check out policy for sensitive materials. Books that kids might be embarrassed to bring to a librarian to check out are on an honor system?they can take them without checking them out with the understanding that they are to bring them back. Sure some may be lost, but if it truly helps a kid, I?m sure most of us would forgive a few missing books. And, after receiving a personal letter from a former patron in which she admitted she was bisexual, I'd like to think that by making books available without judgement, she was able to feel okay about herself, and that she wasn't alone (especially important given the rural area in which we lived).

Dark sides of life/awful experiences in books ? I?m guessing that many of the kids who are reading about these aren?t the ones who are experiencing it, but those that are curious about how others live! I know I have! Books are a way to learn and to escape - what you get out of it (or what you seek) depends on who you are and what you have experienced.

Just my two cents. Kelley Wade Milton formerly of Calais Free Library, ME now a mom in FL



                
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Received on Thu 23 Jun 2005 08:43:57 PM CDT