http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6710782.html
This article looks at the effects of two librarians banning a boy from checking out a book they thought he should not check out. The library received many complaints after the two librarians were fired, and thus they moved the graphic novels (the book being withheld was a graphic novel) section further away from the young adult section.
I feel that the library handled this part of the situation well. They took a request for materials reconsideration, and without eliminating the questioned material, simply moved it so that it was in a different area. This could diffuse some of the tension from parents. Now instead of youth being able to easily see the graphic novels, it would be harder to see and thus not checked out as much. The library didn't change anything else. Youth are still allowed to check out these materials, they are just located in a different position.
The librarians that withheld the book were going against their county code, and so I agree with the library firing them. They were consistently checking out this book so that no one else could check it out, and then when the boy wanted to put it on hold, they wouldn't allow him. This goes completely against what librarians stand for, and more then that, it was even against the rules.
It might be different if it was a philosophical standpoint, but these librarians took action and actually stopped patrons from getting this material. I am happy with how the library handled this situation. I feel like it did the best it could in considering our intellectual freedom and the parent's concerns.
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The way to view this from a philosophical standpoint would be Philosophy->Ethics->Professional Ethics->Conflict of Interest
ReplyDeleteThe two librarians asserted their personal interests over their professional duty, thus violating their professional obligations. There are consequences for violating the ethics of your profession, and these two librarians have realized this.
Wow. This story sounds crazy. I can't believe the librarians kept checking the book in and out. I wonder which graphic novel it was? Also, I don't necessarily think that moving books is a viable option. If someone wants a book, they will find it.
ReplyDeleteLeah
I agree that the library acted appropriately when they fired the librarians for violating both policy and ethics. I do not know whether I agree with moving all the graphic novels away from the young adult section. Teens are generally the patrons reading graphic novels, and the bulk of graphic novels seem to be published for teens. Moving all of them away from the young adult section seems like a bit much to me. If there are graphic novels in the library's collection rated OT (older teen) or Adult, I could see creating a place for them in the adult collection, but the rest should remain in YA where they belong, whatever the content, language, etc.
ReplyDelete~Lynn
These librarians were clearly acting outside of professional standards. Keeping the book out of circulation is blatantly wrong. I'm not sure why the graphic novels needed to be moved because aren't most Young Adult materials anyway? If this particular novel was above the young adult level then maybe it should have just been in the general collection.
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