[Publib] RE: Publib Digest, Vol 15, Issue 21

[Christopher F. Bowen]

"...I am afraid we have a bit of a generational issue here..."

I appreciate the applause, but I have to disagree with the generational
issue. I have had occasion to fill several professional positions
recently and so have also had the pleasure of getting to interview a lot
of applicants, including many recent grads. One of the things we look
for in candidates are librarians who appear to be compatible with my
organization's approach to collection development and intellectual
freedom, so it is not surprising that our younger staff members tend to
be fierce advocates of intellectual freedom. But I have to say the
majority of the new grads we interview share a similar point of view.
The library schools (and we see candidates from the U. of Illinois, U.W.
Madison, Rosary and few from other schools.) come out of school with an
awareness of intellectual freedom issues and a knowledge of the Library
Bill of Rights, etc. that is far beyond anything I learned in library
school in 1972.  Sure, there are many differences between the attitudes
and experiences of the generations. Further, I agree that fear has lead
post 9/11 society to be far too willing to trade personal freedoms for
some sense of security. But, I am very pleased to report that I have not
seen any reason to be concerned about the ability or willingness of the
younger generations of librarians to carry the torch of Intellectual
Freedom. Perhaps we old folks, need to relax and give them a chance to
show what they can.

Christopher Bowen
Downers Grove Public Library

..................................................................
I applaud Christopher Bowen for his lucid and cogent remarks about
censorship.  Unfortunately,  Mr. Bowen, I am afraid we have a bit of a
generational issue here.  Both of us, (along with  leaders like John
Berry, Mitch Freeman, David Cohen, Zoia Horn and Elliott and Eleanor
Goldstein)  were children who cut our teeth during and learned the
energetic, compassionate liberalism (as opposed to the Rovian sound
bite) practiced in the era between Roosevelt and Nixon. I believe we
have a moral imperative to stand up to those who would undermine or
entirely do away with our Constitutional guarantees in the name of
"security" or "family values" or whatever is currently floating the
media's boat.  Sadly, we are now witnessing a period in which fear of
job loss, social opprobrium, or mindless compliance to stupid orders is
also eroding our sense of who we are as a nation and as a profession.

The Library Schools should be explaining that getting fired (and I speak
from experience) defending the law and the rights of our patrons to use
whatever information they want or need, is not the worst thing that can
happen to you.  You may not be able to afford that shiny new electronic
gadget for a while, but in the eyes of many you will be a true hero.

Matthew Simon