As I may have already mention, I work in a library. What you may not know is that libraries are very controversial, especially to those who need a cause in their lives.
The above quote is from the movie The Way We Were. In this movie, Katie, is never happy unless she is working for a cause. This ultimately ends her marriage, but I digress....
One of the county libraries here in KY is facing a difficult problem involving the difference between censorship and civic responsibility. Two of the library employees were dismissed for removing a graphic novel from the shelves without permission and refusing it to patrons. They violated several privacy laws in doing this (looking up patron name, age, etc...) all in the name of child protection.
Now, this particular county is all up in arms and the library is being scrutinized for it's acquisition policy and how it is a danger to the community and the lives of their children. They want several adult books removed from the library because children can see them and check them out. The library stands behind it's policy that it is the parents, not the library, that should monitor what their child reads...this particular group disagrees.
So here is my question, dear readers, where do we draw the line? When does it turn from civic responsibility into censorship? Or is it all the same thing? Whose is ultimately responsible for our children?
Discuss.....
