[Publib] animal cruelty

[Rachel Davis]

While it is always helpful to be able to offer our patrons theme-based
bibliographies of recommended books, as public librarians we, of course,
have an obligation not to fashion our collections, programming, or
reader's advisory efforts in our own image.  I imagine that most
librarians would not let a personal bias prevent them from recommending,
for example, some of Gary Paulsen's nonfiction titles to fans who have
read all of his fiction (Woodsong, or Puppies, Dogs, and Blue Northers :
Reflections on Being Raised by a Pack of Sled Dogs,)--or, for that matter,
from offering a circus-themed story time or book display using acclaimed
literature like Emeline at the Circus, by Marjorie Priceman, Olivia Saves
the Circus, by Ian Falconer, or Sidewalk Circus, by Paul Fleischman and
Kevin Hawkes.  
I regularly purchase books for our collection that I find personally
distasteful, but even given my dislike for a particular title or series, I
will not hesitate to recommend it enthusiastically to a child who I think
might appreciate it.  Charley Seavey, a PUBLIBber and my professor many
years ago for a class on Public Libraries, told the class that since we
would probably find at least 10% of the people we encountered in our lives
to be personally offensive, we should make sure that at least 10% of our
collection is also personally offensive.  I always keep this in mind when
purchasing materials.  
Rachel




Rachel Q. Davis
Children's Librarian
Thomas Memorial Library
6 Scott Dyer Road
Cape Elizabeth, ME  04107
207-799-1720


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