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[CCBC-Net] Library censorship
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From: James Elliott <libraryjim>
Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 11:10:56 -0400 (EDT)
The key is BOTH "is it accurate" and "what were the circumstances?"
I'm sure we could fill the forum with instances of elected officials approaching the Library Director with concern about certain books -- not on their own, but because their voters have approached THEM with complaints over certain selections carried by the library. The commissioner or mayor would not be doing their duty if they did not look into the complaint. Usually, once approached and reassured, the elected official disappears from the library radar, not to reappear until the next complaint.
Or even asking the Director their views on censorship, not to enact it, but to find out where they stand. Also a valued course in later dealings with their constituents.
Jim Elliott North Florida, USA
"Libraries allow children to ask questions about the world and find the answers. And the wonderful thing is that once a child learns to use a library, the doors to learning are always open ... every child in America should have access to a well-stocked school or community library"
--Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States
----- Original Message ----- From: Elsa Marston <elsa.marston at gmail.com> To: ccbc-net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu Sent: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 11:05:20 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [CCBC-Net] Library censorship
Re the recent exchange about politically motivated messages: I agree that we should avoid expressing poliical views. But the information about Sarah Palin's efforts to control the content and personnel of a local library, if accurate, is relevant to our interests--and I doubt that it would be likely to get much attention elsewhere in all the campaign rhetoric. I think it's important to know about this issue.
Elsa Marston www.elsamarston.com
Received on Thu 04 Sep 2008 10:10:56 AM CDT
Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 11:10:56 -0400 (EDT)
The key is BOTH "is it accurate" and "what were the circumstances?"
I'm sure we could fill the forum with instances of elected officials approaching the Library Director with concern about certain books -- not on their own, but because their voters have approached THEM with complaints over certain selections carried by the library. The commissioner or mayor would not be doing their duty if they did not look into the complaint. Usually, once approached and reassured, the elected official disappears from the library radar, not to reappear until the next complaint.
Or even asking the Director their views on censorship, not to enact it, but to find out where they stand. Also a valued course in later dealings with their constituents.
Jim Elliott North Florida, USA
"Libraries allow children to ask questions about the world and find the answers. And the wonderful thing is that once a child learns to use a library, the doors to learning are always open ... every child in America should have access to a well-stocked school or community library"
--Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States
----- Original Message ----- From: Elsa Marston <elsa.marston at gmail.com> To: ccbc-net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu Sent: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 11:05:20 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [CCBC-Net] Library censorship
Re the recent exchange about politically motivated messages: I agree that we should avoid expressing poliical views. But the information about Sarah Palin's efforts to control the content and personnel of a local library, if accurate, is relevant to our interests--and I doubt that it would be likely to get much attention elsewhere in all the campaign rhetoric. I think it's important to know about this issue.
Elsa Marston www.elsamarston.com
Received on Thu 04 Sep 2008 10:10:56 AM CDT
