Maine Panel keeps ‘Catcher’ on list

Anonymous Patron writes “More news from Maine where J.D. Salinger’s “Catcher in the Rye” has caused another fuss. M.D. Harmon actually uses “Puh-leeze” in an editorial in which he equates censorship with collection development. Nancy Grape has another editorial from the same ME Paper. The Book Will Remain on freshman reading lists at Noble High School in Berwick.”

December 20, 2004 by Uncategorized 2

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2 Responses

  1. deborah says:
    December 20, 2004 at 10:13 pm

    subtle differences

    It’s a subtle distinction, and a tough one to make quickly. When librarians and teachers practice collection development, they are (in a perfect world) blending knowledge they gained from

    • training
    • knowledge of and experience with the community as a whole and its myriad subgroups
    • first-hand knowledge of the book, or failing that, reviews from sources they know to be reputable and useful for their needs
    • direct input from patrons — and their concerned parents

    It’s a powerful role, and most presumably try to use it responsibly.

    When a well-meaning and concerned mother — based on a review obtained from a random internet site and without first-hand knowledge of the book — complains, her concerns should be taken seriously. But part of taking them seriously is a vetting by the trained professionals who have wider knowledge of the needs the collection or curriculum is fulfilling, and its role in an entire community. The mother has a right to continue asking them to change their minds, but when the professionals respectfully disagree and she keeps trying, the pejorative word “censorship” is going to be applied.

    Reply
  2. Cyberpunk Librarian says:
    December 20, 2004 at 10:35 pm

    Re:subtle differences

    Fantastic points, one and all, Deborah. And you’re absolutely right. There is one thing you left out however, and it’s not because you don’t already know it. It’s simply because it’s not discussed nearly enough:

    You can’t make everyone happy.

    No matter what kind of reading list one draws up, no matter the sources used to justify and legitimize that list, no matter the educational criteria, no matter the needs, no matter the merit; you’re not going to make everyone happy. Someone’s always going to complain about the choices, simple as that.

    Reply

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