[Publib] Political Correctness defined

[Andrea Berstler]

Try this - 

 

Political Correctness is a term that describes the attempt of individuals to
accurately explain, describe or otherwise define a person, event or
organization in terms that will not offend either the listener or the
subject of the conversation.  It has led to better (Indians to American
Indians to Native Americans) and the silly (short to vertically-challenged)
but it reflects a culture's attempt to demonstrate in its language a desire
to be inclusive. 

 

OK - so it's not Webster's' - 

 

 

Andrea
 
Andrea Berstler - Director 
The Village Library of Morgantown 
PO Box 797, 207 N Walnut St 
Morgantown, PA 
 <http://www.villagelibrary.org/> www.villagelibrary.org 
610-286-1022
Preserving the Past . . . Preparing for the Future . . . 

Board Member - Association for Rural and Small Libraries 

You Gotta Believe - Tug McGraw

 

 

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From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Kathleen Stipek
Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2008 12:05 PM
To: Mary Soucie; brandylaurel7 at aol.com; publib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Publib] Political Correctness and Reader Advisory

 

I have asked this before, and like a good reference librarian, I am going to
keep at it until I get an answer.  What is political correctness?  A short,
clear definition will do.  Reply off-list if you prefer.

 

Kathleen Stipek

Alachua County Library District

401 East University Avenue

Gainesville, Florida 32601

352-334-3931  (fax) 352-334-3948

 

     --Non, merci.

       Cyrano de Bergerac

 

  _____  

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Mary Soucie
Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2008 9:37 AM
To: brandylaurel7 at aol.com; publib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Publib] Political Correctness and Reader Advisory

Hi Brandy,

Why not just call it what it is? If you have one for gay/lesbian do you have
one for people that aren't gay/lesbian? If you have one for gardeners, do
you have one for non-gardeners? I'll bet not because those aren't being
requested. I think sometimes we lose opportunities because we're afraid of
not being politically correct. 

 

I recognize that it does depend on your community. In our community, we put
up a Christmas tree every year in the library, decorated by our garden club.
We don't also put up decorations from other holidays such as Hanukkah or
Kwanza. Some of that is due to space constraints but some of it is also due
to what our community is and isn't asking for. 

 

Good luck with your decision. Let us know what you decide.

Mary

 

Mary J. Soucie, MLIS

Library Director
Wilmington Public Library District

Visit the world @ your libraryT

201 S Kankakee St, Wilmington IL 60481
815-476-2834 Phone
815-476-7805 Fax
 <mailto:mjsoucie at wilmingtonlibrary.org>
mailto:mjsoucie at wilmingtonlibrary.org 

 

Wilmington Public Library District is committed 

to providing excellent comprehensive service to 

its community.

 

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From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org on behalf of brandylaurel7 at aol.com
Sent: Thu 10/16/2008 8:54 AM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] Political Correctness and Reader Advisory

Hi everyone.  I am hoping for some guidance about a political correctness
issue.  In our library system, we have several book lists that our
librarians create.  Topics range from Zane read alikes to Authors like Jane
Austen.  These book lists are great reference tools, and our librarians are
doing a fantastic job on them.

The problem is how to label Christian Fiction.  It is a genre that is asked
for frequently by our patrons.  We have a book list called Inspirational
Fiction that is pretty much Christian Fiction, and it has been suggested
that we just call it what it is...Christian Fiction.  But arguments against
this include "That is not politically correct.  If we make a Christian
Fiction, we will have to make a Jewish Fiction, Islamic Fiction, etc...."
(My response is "okey, let's make them too!)  

Our library is fairly diverse.  We have a booklist for gay/lesbian
literature and booklists for people who enjoy gardening.  So what does
everyone think?  How is everyone out there labeling "Christian Fiction"? 

I hope you all are having a great day!

Brandy L. Jeschonek
Reference Librarian
Suffolk Public LIbrary System
Suffolk, VA  23451

"If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else."  -Booker T.
Washington 

 

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