for believing (or not) in intellectual freedom?
So, remember yesterday's tweet about our most recent "Request for Reconsideration"? Turns out, it was from a 65 year old woman. Suddenly, I feel bad. Do I still believe it is ridiculous to think you can make decisions for an entire city based on what you, personally, find objectionable? Yes, of course. But, should the age of the person complaining make the complaint more palatable? Am I giving a pass because this is (likely) someone's grandma? Probably. Of course everyone has a right to send letters to the library about the trash in our collections. If you hate something, write away. Right away! It's only when it turns from "that book (dvd, cd) was a bunch of crap" to "NOBODY should be reading this, discard it immediately" that I have to stop and mock you. But, apparently, only if you're under 65......
Discuss.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
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3 comments:
Of course those over 65 should get a pass for most things. Except, of course, when they're behind the wheel. "Get out of the way, Grandma", has been shouted in my car more than once.
It probably depends a lot on where in the country you live as well. Folks here in the Bible Belt would likely object to some of the Urban genre, but as librarians we are bound to providing what the population wants.
The reason of "just because it's trash" is not valid in this context; we must have a valid argument as to why, and I would imagine that a large group objection would be considered more strongly than a single person's whining.
I don't know. She's entitled to her opinion, just like everyone else, but her age doesn't give her any special extra consideration. At least in my book.
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