My local library's 'banned books week' display got taken down after one complaint.

Happened last Tuesday. They had a small table with stuff like 'The Bluest Eye' and 'Gender Queer'. Someone called and said it was 'pushing an agenda'. Library director folded. Just gone the next morning. Felt like a gut punch. What's the point of the week if you cave that fast? Anyone know a good way to push back on something like that? Thinking of writing a letter but not sure it'll do anything.

3 comments

3 Comments

sarahmorgan25d ago

One complaint? Just ONE phone call and they took down the whole display for The Bluest Eye? That book is a classic, it's taught in schools. The whole point of the week is to stand up for ideas, even the uncomfortable ones. If they remove it that fast, it makes the whole event look like a joke. It just shows how fragile our support for free speech really is.

claire6425d ago

The library in my town did the same thing with a Judy Blume book last year. They got two emails and pulled it from the teen section. It's like they have a panic button under the desk for any book with a real problem in it. I guess my support for free speech is about as strong as my willpower around free donuts. We talk a big game but fold at the first sign of trouble.

casey9095d ago

Actually, libraries have a duty to think about the whole community, not just loud voices. Maybe those two emails came from parents who felt the material was too mature for the teen section without any warning. It's not about banning books, it's about putting them in the right place so families can choose what's right for them.