[Publib] Censorship

Wed Jun 14 10:17:03 EDT 2006

Um, maybe I just need more coffee, but what does the
scenario Paul outlines here have to do with the
initial question?  A child asking for a book on any
subject whatsoever does not equate to someone asking
for access to deadly materials.  This is an old and
dishonorable rhetorical trick.  Maybe I don't need
more coffee.

--- "Gregor, Paul" <PGregor at gcpl.lib.oh.us> wrote:

> 
> I agree at least with the direction you're going
> Mark.
> 
> While I'm no lawyer, I think it would be interesting
> to know where the line would be crossed by a
> librarian
> in one of these hypothetical bomb-making questions. 
> At some point I would assume that you could be held
> as an accessory to a crime after the fact -- if you
> took this ethical stance to an extreme. 
> 
> The legal question I think would be: when would a
> reasonable person have known that a crime was being
> planned in the course of rendering reference
> assistance.  
> 
> I'm sorry but someone asking where they can buy
> nitrate fertilizer, rent a truck to haul it in, use
> a cell phone as a detonator
> and oh by the way, do I have plans for such and such
> public building and so on and so forth -- eventually
> should give me some clues.  
> 
> I'd also think I'd have a lawful obligation to say
> something if I reasonably believed I was in the
> process of helpins someone plan a crime.
> 
> While I adhere to the ethics promoted by ALA which I
> learned in library school, as a guide -- never did I
> raise my right hand and 
> swear an oath of allegiance.  Maybe I was absent
> from class that day.
> 
> Paul Gregor
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> > 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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> >
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Publib mailing list
> > Publib at webjunction.org
> >
> http://lists.webjunction.org/mailman/listinfo/publib
> >
> >
> > End of Publib Digest, Vol 15, Issue 17
> > **************************************
> > 
> 
> 
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Julie Bauer
Collection Development Librarian
Loudoun County Public Library
Leesburg, Virginia