A new anti-nudity performance law in Poseyville, Indiana is being challenged, according to this story and this story. Many communities have ordinances banning public nudity, or which prohibit nude dancing. The Poseyville law was written after the owner of a BBQ restaurant added strippers to the menu. But, the ordinance is very broad and possibly unconstitutional.
A new anti-nudity performance law in Poseyville, Indiana is being challenged, according to this story and this story. Many communities have ordinances banning public nudity, or which prohibit nude dancing. The Poseyville law was written after the owner of a BBQ restaurant added strippers to the menu. But, the ordinance is very broad and possibly unconstitutional.According to the ordinance ‘”performance” means any play, motion picture, dance, or other exhibition or presentations, whether it is pictured, animated, or live, performed before an audience of one or more.’ It’s an ordinance that could put any video store, book store, or movie theatre, art gallery, or some argue, library, out of business. The authors of the ordinance say that’s not their intent, but that’s not enough of an assurance for local attorney David Tanner and a small group of concerned citizens who intend to protest.
how does this concern libraries?
This news item probably belongs on a board devoted to the performing arts. I don’t see its relevance to the library world, unless perhaps there’s a movement to encourage nude performances in libraries.
Re:how does this concern libraries?
A law written this broadly will affect libraries because very few libraries have collections consisting exclusively of books that exclusively contain text. It’s not just the movies and DVDs that are a problem under this ordinance; think also about art books, or sex education books.
Ridiculous!
Thou shalt not strip for thine husband/wife/spouse/significant other/fill in the blank even in the privacy of thine own home.
Let’s see; books with presentations of nudity. The art book on Edouard Manet; probably most art books with works by the masters. Playboy and Penthouse will certainly qualify. All sexual health and sexual education books such as the ones by Robie Harris. Biology textbooks with pictures of genitalia. Oh, I could go on and on.
Re:how does this concern libraries?
If you read the second linked story, you’ll learn that the town’s librarian has concern about the ordinance, for the reasons put forth by liz.
Poseyville Censorship
The public library in a town just a few miles away has had several incidents where they were asked by patrons to remove “offensive” items from their collection. The most recent that I remember was an R. Crumb book, because some of his cartoons depicted sex and nudity.
Let me just take this opportunity to mention that the Poseyville Carnegie Library operates on an appallingly small budget. I happen to know the director there, and that he sometimes pays out of his own pocket when the budget doesn’t stretch quite far enough. So, if you are looking for a worthy cause to donate to, consider sending that library a few dollars, or some materials.