[Publib] censorship

[Christopher F. Bowen]

OK, I tried to stay out of this one, but find I have to say what's own
my mind. What is this talk about the need for an reference interview to
ascertain what the patron wants the information for? In my book, the
reference interview is intended to find out what the patron wants to
know - whales, not Wales - not why she or he wants to know it. If the
kid says he is going to try and conjure up a demon, does it suddenly
become OK to censor his or her access to the material? I will admit that
when I was a kid, some of my friends and I attempted witchcraft. (Note I
am talking candles, protective circles, chanting, etc., not sacrificing
animals or virgins.) It didn't work. But it was still none of the
librarians business why we wanted the information. 

I knew a librarian who loved baiting those of us that profess to be
intellectual freedom advocates with a game he called get off the train.
He would keep saying "What about..." until he picked something so awful
that his victim would cave and say, "Well I might not buy...." (fill in
the blank with whatever pushes your personal buttons - holocaust denial,
violence toward women, devil worship.) Then this guy would claim victory
and crow that he had proved  the victim didn't really believe in all
this I.F. stuff and that we are all censors. I think that what it really
proves is that we are human beings, who do not want to cause harm to
anyone. It also proves the need for explicit policies, peer support, and
the reminder that we will really never know why a patron wants
particular information and it really isn't our business. 

The patron may be upset because the report on right to die was due
yesterday, not because he or she is planning to kill herself. And
frankly, if a person is determined to do something, denying a library
book probably isn't going to make any difference.  With adults it should
be easy. We are in the information business. Offer info on suicide hot
lines too, if you think it is appropriate. It is still up to the patron
to take or leave it. We all want to protect kids, and this is much
harder. I don't believe a book alone will hurt anyone, of any age. On
the other hand, if a parent has taught his or her child from birth that
the sight of a naked person will burn the child's eyes, who knows what
the psychological effect of seeing a "dirty" picture might be? But whose
fault is it? I say the parent has made the choice, and must accept the
responsibility. 

In the end, each of us has to decide what he or she can live with in a
particular situation. I am happy to say that in 30 years of real life
library work, I have never been in a situation where I regretted
sticking by my I.F. guns. And yes, we bought Madonna's SEX and took hell
for it for 2 years. I truly believe that if I had given in to the
concerns I have felt over a few titles, they would be cringe moments for
life. 

Christopher Bowen
Downers Grove Public Library