Cheshire, CT (WTNH) – Cheshire experiences an uproar over a book detailing the 2007 Cheshire home invasion tragedy. There is emotional debate over if the library in town should carry the publication.
“Why make it worse? Put it in our own library, in our own town, in a town that is still trying to heal, with money we’re paying for. I don’t want to pay for that book,” said Kimberly Mach of Cheshire.
The issue centers on the fact that the Cheshire Library has ordered two copies of the book. More than two dozen folks showed up to protest the decision at a board meeting Tuesday night. One board member is outraged the Brian McDonald book was chosen.
“This has nothing to do with First Amendment, this has nothing to do with book banning, this has nothing to with trying to censor a book. This has to do with what is right; this has to do with protecting a member of our community who has experienced an atrocity in his family,” said Board Member Marilyn Bartoli.
A small, close community…but certainly books about 9/11 are in New York City libraries…
Unfortanatley
I am sorry for the tradegy of course, but the 1st admendment was created for such things just as this and I would say the book should be placed in the library. No One is forcing this as a school program, that would be a different situation. In this case the book should be, and then who wants to read it may and those who do not need not to. It doesn’t matter if you agree with it or not it is the freedom to chose what you want. Let this book be banned and then protesters can ban other books, probably a book you would want to read.
LNSu
What does the Board Member think censorship is?
Censorship doesn’t have to do only with First Amendment rights, or obscene language, or whatever else. Censorship is saying “I don’t want anyone to have access to this, because…”.
right?
Who decides what is right?
The Problem is Library Policy, Not the Book
My take on this is different. I say this shows the library policy needs changing. I take no position as to the book. See “But… Monkey in Cheshire, CT; Selection Policy Needs Amendment; Library Director Ramona Harten Says Her Own Authority Trumps All.”
-=-=-=-
http://www.SafeLibraries.org
http://safelibraries.blogspot.com/