This article
from the delcotimes, publicizes Banned Books Week, through many examples of citizen involvement in the challenge process. The author quotes many librarians and authors, including Judy Blume:
“(It’s) not just the books under fire now that worry me. It is the books that will never be written, the books that will never be read, and all due to the fear of censorship,” she is quoted as saying. “As always, young readers will be the real losers.”
Banned Books : A New perspective
It seems in this debate that one thing seemed to be overlooked. The problem is not the eventual prevention of the publication of the titles but the availability. Unfortunately there is a idea that all people should access all materials in the library irrespective of age and appropriateness. A compromise that would allay the fears of those who foresee massive censorship is to utilize professional responsibility and make a policy on what is age appropriate. This seems like a radical concept, but in fact vendors of CD’s, DVD’s, and the like place a parental advisory on the item. Some video stores have limited access to material inapporpriate for children. Movie theatres have ratings that define the audience. Why is it difficult for the library to have its own variation of this idea. In the past there were children’s cards that limited the type of materials that could be charged out. If a parent chooses to circumvent this and take out age inappropriate materials from the library, buy tickets to a movie that has a age limit, or the like that those on this line say the parents are the ultimate guide Libraries for the most part reflect the communities they serve and most often are frequented by all family members. They need to be “family friendly” and not an open field. This is not contrary to free speech it shows great concern for children and their maturity.
If a business has a scale if libraries don’t, could it be that once again there are agenda driven concerns. The video store, record store, and even some supermarkest also have to reflect free speech. They know that they also have to retain their customers. Banned Books is a strong term. Age appropriate and professional responsibility will eliminate so-called banned books. Facism does not come with age appropriate policies.
Re:Banned Books : A New perspective
One question for you. You mention “age inappropriate” materials, and I assume you mean that parents should be able to keep children from checking out books meant for adults. However, many of the challenged books celebrated during Banned Books week are books intended for children! Having a “children’s card” that prevented one from checking out adult books would not keep a child from checking out Judy Blume’s books, which are some of the most challenged books around. Or how about Harry Potter? In most cases, it seems to me that parents who want books kept from their children are not concerned with age appropriateness. They simply don’t like the book’s content and don’t want it available to anyone.