An excellent letter

[velvetpage]

It's from a librarian who was asked to reconsider a book called, "Uncle Bobby's Wedding," because a certain library patron found the subject matter unsuitable to the small children for whom the book was designed.

Here is the librarian's reply to the request for censorship. Beautiful.

Comments

[merlyn4401.livejournal.com]

The Douglas County Library System is where I am interviewing next week. :)

[velvetpage.livejournal.com]

I think I'd enjoy working for them, if this response is representative of the way they think.

[bandersnitch.livejournal.com]

That is the type of response I like to see in light of such protests. There is no way this person could lash out against the decision, and even if they do appeal, it will be done sensibly and approached with the same professionalism.

He respected her concerns and addressed them. Even used her own arguments against her. And still didn't sound condescending or spiteful that he was asked to take this book off his shelf.

[stress-kitten.livejournal.com]

That man's a genius.

[integritysinger.livejournal.com]

I've personally come across books and media at our libraries that I find contradictory to our family's values and beliefs. So I don't check them out. 'nuff said. A little parental censorship is better than national censorship. If parents don't take the time to censor what they consider as objectionable for their children and morals, then it's their own fault, not the library's fault. Libraries really do try to be all encompassing and not partisan.

[amazonvera.livejournal.com]

One of the things I've come across when going out to campaign against our local gay marriage ban (or frankly, quite often when I just discuss gay rights with someone who opposes them) is a belief that they and their opinions are the majority, and that gays and those who support them are a tiny, alien, fringe group. I think this leads to people forming ideas and opinions without regard to that community and being a little shocked to be asked to think of them, and think of them as equals.

In the conservative, suburban neighborhood where I went and stood outside a Target collecting signatures, there were a fair number of people downright shocked that the very idea of equality for gays was being mentioned right there in their community. It just never occurred to them that it was that big an issue. I think a lot of people think, "That's for those people in San Francisco," not that there are gay families, gay supporters, and people who are not only not offended but downright pleased about homosexual rights right there in their community.

[velvetpage.livejournal.com]

A few years ago, when our federal government was on the point of passing a law making gay marriage legal across the country, there was a petition placed in the foyer of my church. At a Saturday afternoon concert and again the following day in the service, a well-respected member of the church got up and urged everyone to sign it.

Not only did I not sign it, when I was talking to the people around me after the service, I made a point of telling a few of them that I'd already written a letter to my MP - in support of the gay marriage law. It was surprising how many people basically said, "I'm not writing any letters, but I'm also not signing that petition."

Even so, it was one more nail in the coffin for me. My first requirement for a new religious community home is that it be inclusive. I won't attend anywhere that isn't, and I won't offer financial support anywhere that isn't.