From: Angela Morrison <angelamor09>
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2006 02:41:36 -0500

While I agree that the premise of this student's assignment is wonky, I can see a young librarian in a new community being faced with this type of bias.
  Of course, a librarian would want to try to educate the community about respected review sources, but a reviewer that reflected the community's beliefs--whether they be political or religious, may help the librarian weather or prepare for a storm. And it may help them serve that particular community. I'm not saying that librarians should make decisions based on insane book-banning website reviews, but I think it would be worthwhile to check a serious review site that could give insights into the particular bias the librarian is facing. Where to find such a website?

Our student may want to check the education or library departments of respected universities that are sponsored by religious organizations. You'll find student reviews rather than professional reviews and they won't always be comprehensive or up-to-date, but in such a scenario, I think something like that would be helpful. I know Brigham Young University's education department has an on-line book review site. It's written by Mormon students so it has a Mormon bias, but it would give a non-LDS librarian an insight into a Mormon community. I'm guessing other university education departments may offer similar on-line reviews reflecting their community's bias.

I think blind intolerance, like is displayed in the premise of this assignment, must be met with tolerance and a willingness to understand and educate.

Angela Morrison, MFA in WFC Fechy, Switzerland
Received on Wed 29 Mar 2006 01:41:36 AM CST