[Publib] Assault on Reason?/Censorship

[Lise Chlebanowski]

There are many stories like this in library-world. The collection development head that was a boating enthusiast and his library that had more boating books than any other is one that comes to my mind. Whether you slant your collection in favor of a particular religion or a craft like knitting, it is still resulting in an unbalanced collection and a professional librarian should do their best to rise above that. If you want the best boating collection you can have it in your home library! 
 
Lisë Chlebanowski
Library Manager
Sam Garcia Western Avenue Library
495 E. Western Ave.
Avondale, AZ   85323
623-333-2611 D
623-333-0260 F
lchlebanowski at avondale.org <mailto:lchlebanowski at avondale.org> 
 
Now Reading: Love the One You're With by Emily Giffin
Now Listening: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
 

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From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Paula Laurita
Sent: Monday, September 29, 2008 2:30 PM
To: 'James Casey'; 'Hubert Thompson'; publib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Publib] Assault on Reason?/Censorship



Let me toss into this mix--There are libraries in the US that do censor through selection based upon philosophy of the library staff.  

 

In the 80s, prior to library school I volunteered in a public library (not in Alabama, but a more "cosmopolitan" area).  Any and every book published that was critical of Catholicism was purchased.  When I asked that the library order The Catholic Moment: The Paradox of the Church in the Postmodern World <http://www.amazon.com/Catholic-Moment-Paradox-Church-Postmodern/dp/006066097X/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222723233&sr=1-5>  by Richard John Neuhaus I was derided for my lack of intellect.  

 

This experience has helped to color my own selection ideals.  

 

Paula S.W. Laurita, MLIS
Coordinator of Public Services
Athens-Limestone Public Library
Athens, AL 35611

plaurita at athenslimestone.lib.al.us

We have found that a library is not an end in itself, but a means to many ends.
Charles E. Rush, 1939 


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