[Publib] Re: Publib Digest, Vol 15, Issue 17

Tue Jun 13 13:07:22 EDT 2006

Not a public librarian yet, I've been studying to be one. I also go to Wayne 
State University in Detroit and have been interested in the discussion 
sprung from the original post. This question of in loco parentis is 
complicated issue, not easily boiled down to the position of "Ivory Tower 
archivist"
or "Discern"ing librarian. The book on suicide asked for by a crying patron 
may be about experiencing the suicide of someone in her family. The book on 
how to make a bomb? Well?

The problem I see, and forgive my inexperience, is that you don't know how 
information will be used and for the most part you can't know. "Sure, I'm 
just reading How to make a Bomb for a chemistry assignment, why do you ask?" 
Would it make a person's  conscience easier to report it to the police? 
Maybe? Maybe not. Is this the same as saying some information is bad and 
some is good? This is a great ethical question. I wish I could see it as 
clearly as you do. But, I don't. For the most part, FBI aside, asking for 
information in a library is not illegal. Also, some responsibility needs to 
be placed on the person requesting the information. Pardon my naviete, I 
think I would need to be able to trust my patrons. To use your metaphor, 
which one's the library in this concept of a toddler on the busy street, the 
speeding cars, the toddler or the gas stations that provided the fuel?

Amalia

> Message: 3
> Date: Tue, 13 Jun 2006 10:28:02 -0500
> From: "Mark Furukawa"
> Subject: [Publib] RE: Censorship?
> To: <publib at webjunction.org>
> Message-ID: <002001c68efd$f5e39280$c869010a at GRSL014626>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> You make me tired.
> I've been a 'professional' librarian for over 30 years, and have not 
> managed
> to see black-and-white so clearly as most of you who have so far responded
> to this question (and like questions previously).
>
> The flip side of your blithe "I'm not in loco parentis" is "it takes a
> village to raise a child." Do you watch a toddler step into a busy street,
> turn your back saying "it's not my child, let the parent watch out"?
>
> We need to be more than merely ivory tower archivists. We need to
> acknowledge we are part of our community and participate in helping that
> community thrive.
>
> When next an obviously upset patron (child or adult) comes to you asking 
> for
> a book on how to commit suicide, I am reassured your professionalism will
> impel you to, with no compunction, give him what he asks with no thought 
> to
> watching the obituaries. Since he didn't ask, I'm sure you won't bend your
> professional ethics to suggest a suicide help-line. After all, it's not 
> your
> responsibility as a librarian to judge how the patron might use the
> information. By all means, do not judge - DISCERN!
>
> I have not managed to leave my humanity at the door when I go to work. 
> When
> I do, it will be time for me to ask one of you for information on suicide.
> No, on second thought, at that time I will ask you for information on how 
> to
> "do a Columbine". Don't wonder why I'm asking. Don't hesitate to give me
> what I'm asking. By the way, is there hunting/fishing store nearby?
>
> Excuse me while I throw up. This is one of those times when I am ashamed 
> to
> be labeled a 'professional' librarian.
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> Mark Furukawa
> http://ballz.ababa.net/markfurukawa/index.shtml
>     May I deal with honor,
>     May I act with courage,
>     May I achieve humility.
>                from "Straight"
>                by Dick Francis
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
> Tracking #: 448BAD23FCF02C458079F72DCA5C56569913BF53
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Tue, 13 Jun 2006 11:55:53 -0400
> From: "Michael Golrick" <mgolrick at brdgprtpl.lib.ct.us>
> Subject: [Publib] Memorial Resolution - Mary Jane Anderson
> To: <publib at webjunction.org>
> Message-ID:
> <3DA7F4D78EB9F04FA868B8CABF41CF94F68DF9 at bptlibex01.brdgprtpl.lib.ct.us>
>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Hi-
>
> Below is the memorial resolution I have drafted in memory of Mary Jane
> Anderson. I would welcome any additions by next Monday (June 19). If any
> current Councilors on the list wish to be listed as seconders, please
> advise me, and I will add you.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Newer list members may not have had the wonderful opportunity to
> interact with Mary Jane, but I valued her incredibly, will miss her
> greatly, and credit my success in ALA to her early training of me. She
> was a great mentor!
>
> Michael
>
> Michael A. Golrick              mgolrick at bridgeportpubliclibrary.org
>
> ALA Executive Board
>
> City Librarian                  http://www.bridgeportpubliclibrary.org
> Bridgeport Public Library 203/576.7777 (office)
> 925 Broad Street 203/333.0253 (fax)
> Bridgeport CT 06604-4871
>
> http://michaelgolrick.blogspot.com
>
> -----------------
>
> Memorial Resolution
>
> Mary Jane Anderson
>
>
> Whereas, Mary Jane Anderson was a longtime member of the American
> Library Association, and
> Whereas, she began her career as a school librarian Miami, and
> Whereas, her career included school and public libraries in Florida,
> Maryland, Illinois, and Michigan, and
> Whereas, she was a faculty member  in the library education program at
> Rosary College (now Dominican University) in River Forest, Illinois, and
> Whereas she served as editor of the Children's Services Division and
> Young Adult Services Division joint journal, Top of the News, from 1971
> to 1974, and
> Whereas she served as the Executive Director of the Children's Services
> Division and the Young Adult Services Division from 1974 to 1982, and
> Whereas she served on the ALSC Newbery Award Committee from 1990 to
> 1992, and
> Whereas she served on ALA Council as a Councilor-at-Large from 1992 and
> 2000, and
> Whereas she served as the Chair of the ALSC Oral Record Task Force for
> 1992-1993 and
> Whereas she served on the Office for Library Personnel Resources
> Advisory Committee from 1993 to 1995 and
> Whereas she served on the ALSC Putnam & Grosset Group Awards Selection
> Committee as the Chair from 1994 to 1996, and as a member from 1994 to
> 1997 and
> Whereas she served on the Council Resolutions Committee from 1995 to
> 1999 and
> Whereas she served on the ALA Committee on Organization from 1999 to
> 2001 and
> Whereas her colleagues have recognized her as "one of the most
> forthright and articulate librarians with whom we have had the privilege
> to work" and someone who could be "both gracious and feisty," and
> Whereas she could always be counted on to help write good resolutions
> that had potential for passing even if she strongly objected to the
> resolution,
> Now therefore be it resolved, that the members of American Library
> Association mourn the loss of Mary Jane Anderson as a valued colleague
> and active member of the Association, and their Council directs that the
> President and Executive Director send a copy of this resolution to the
> family of Mary Jane Anderson.
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Tue, 13 Jun 2006 10:58:29 -0400
> From: "Connie Jo Ozinga" <cjo at elkhart.lib.in.us>
> Subject: [Publib] Censorship?
> To: <publib at webjunction.org>
> Message-ID:
> <B2E3C06B6C70BB43A81756792784222982BC1F at exchange2.elkhart.lib.in.us>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> I once had a staff member tell me that every time she checked out "The
> Satanic Bible" to a teenager, she went to confession.  We made it
> possible for her to ask another person to handle the transaction so that
> she didn't have to touch it.
>
> Connie
>
> Connie Jo Ozinga, Director  cjo at elkhart.lib.in.us
> <mailto:cjo at elkhart.lib.in.us>
> (574)522-3333  www.elkhart.lib.in.us
> Elkhart Public Library Elkhart, IN  46516
>
> The Elkhart Public Library provides access to resources which inform,
> educate, enlighten and entertain our diverse community.....Books are
> just the beginning.
>
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>
> Message: 6
> Date: Tue, 13 Jun 2006 11:17:35 -0400
> From: "Roxanne Rissanen" <r.rissanen at cityssm.on.ca>
> Subject: [Publib] RE: Publib Digest, Vol 15, Issue 16
> To: <publib at webjunction.org>
> Message-ID: <B4C960DD0164E44389B21E3F6BE74D0A01615F99 at cityxchg>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
>
> One question I ask myself in such situations is "would I do that to an
> adult patron".  If not then I shouldn't do it to a child patron.  When a
> child comes up to the desk asking for information we shouldn't even ask
> if it is for a school report - it is none of our business.  We are
> mandated to provide access to information.  It is definitely overt
> censorship - we as librarians have no business acting in loco parentis
> (even if we know the parents of the child in question).
>
> I am so glad that you brought this topic up.
>
> Roxanne Rissanen
> Children's Services Librarian
> Sault Ste. Marie Public Library
> Sault Ste. Marie, ON. P6A 3C3
>
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Mon, 12 Jun 2006 19:18:01 +0000
> From: ax3090 at wayne.edu
> Subject: [Publib] Censorship?
> To: publib at webjunction.org
> Message-ID:
>
> <061220061918.29665.448DBDE90004FD56000073E12200763704020A06020A04080E00
> @comcast.net>
>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Hi,
>
> I'm just over half way through the MLIS progam at Wayne State University
> and there's a question that has been weighing on my mind.
>
> Last fall, I spent quite a bit of time observing the reference desk at
> an area library.  One afternoon, a boy of about 11 or 12 came up to the
> desk to find out if the library had any information on devil worship.
> Without saying a word, the librarian took the boy to the section where
> the information was located and, a few minutes later, both came back
> empy-handed.  She said, "I guess it must have been stolen" as he walked
> away.  Then she leaned over and whispered to me, "Sometime I tell them
> we don't even have it."  At the time, I thought, "Wow!  What a blatant
> act of censorship."  But now, after a few more library observations, I'm
> wondering if this is more common than I thought.  Are people acting in
> loco parentis based on the values of their communities or is it overt
> censorship?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jennifer
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> End of Publib Digest, Vol 15, Issue 17
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