[Publib] Dangerous Territory

[Robert L. Balliot]

Greetings,

 

I was going to make a comment and it was going to be the

best comment yet on this discussion - maybe the best comment

ever written on PubLib  - maybe the best comment that would

ever be written on PubLib.  It had humor, righteous indignation,

heartfelt feeling, more than a few surprising twists, and 

was even library related.  It was going to be great . . .

 

But, Jim Casey invoked Godwin <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin's_law> 's
Law. 

 

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Robert L. Balliot

Skype: RBalliot

Bristol, Rhode Island

http://oceanstatelibrarian.com/contact.htm

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  _____  

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of James Casey
Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2008 4:34 PM
To: 'Roseanne Biver'; publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] Dangerous Territory

 

Librarians are sometimes accused of having books in their collection that
"promote" homosexuality or sexuality or even suicide by providing
information on such uncomfortable subjects to curious folks.  I used to have
debates with a trustee who asserted that the book FINAL EXIT promoted
suicide because it showed readers just how suicide could be done.  She
wanted the book removed.  I would counter that argument that reading such a
book might just convince someone NOT to commit suicide by simply showing the
raw and unromantic facts about that terrible act.  Would reading Hitler's
book MEIN KAMPF have gained followers for the mad Nazi policies or would it
have put people on their guard against his schemes?

 

By the same token, MANY censorship oriented groups label books that inform
teens of sexual choices (sex education and family planning) to be promoting
sex rather than providing instruction that could serve to reduce the
incidence of unwanted teenage pregnancies - and hence, reduce the incidence
of abortion.  Their argument would be that such matters "shouldn't be
discussed" or allowed on the shelves of tax supported libraries.  

 

Projecting opinions and bias on those who provide access to information is a
tactic employed by censors for many years.   I would urge that we refrain
from that course. 

 

James B. Casey --- my own views

Director of Oak Lawn Public Library

ALA Council Member --- and a "media manipulator" according to one group.

 

http://www.metrovoice.net/www.metrovoice.net/2008/0908_stlweb/0908_articles/
whos_controlling_county_libraries.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Roseanne Biver
Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:40 AM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Publib] Publib Pet Peeve and anti-gay protestors

 

Ok PUBlibers we are heading once again into very dangerous territory with
fact verses opinion.  Please keep your opinions to yourself and offer only
the facts with regard to library policy and what you or you know other
libraries have done in these similiar circumstances.   Your opinions and
personal stories regarding homosexuals and their situations is not relevant
to this thread.  The groups mentioned that give libraries a hard time have
their own beliefs whether they are correct or not in the expression of that
belief.  It's the ongoing problem in so many debates with so many issues.
The arguments for or against an issue are out there, but are just not being
made in the most effective way.      
 

 

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