ABC News: Grandma Refuses to Return Library Book, Could Face Jail Time

ABC News: Grandma Refuses to Return Library Book, Could Face Jail Time

Books like this should not be in the public library. Banning something from the public library is not the same as totally banning the book. But a library should only keep books that an overwhelming majority (maybe even 100%) of the community supports.

It simply should not be a place for controversial children's books. I shouldn't have to keep my kids away from the library over one or two books. It should be a "super" safe environment for kids. I'm not worried about adults, but kids view the library as authoritative. If it's in the library then it's true, factual, appropriate, etc. Unlike an adult, they don't realize that a book can be in the library and still be wrong or incorrect.

For people that say it's unfair for my beliefs to taint the public library. I would argue that a library without this book is not tainted, even if you like the book, the library is still a good, safe but maybe "incomplete" library. However a library WITH this book, the library become UN-good and UN-safe to me and my kids. Which is more unfair? All libraries are "incomplete" because it's impossible to have every book. But not all libraries are UN-safe. And I'm willing to bet that every adult in the contry could find at least one book that they thought would make a library unsafe for children. So think think about that before you give away your right to limit your own public library.

If stocking ONE book keeps on parent from allowing their kids to come to the libaray, then stocking that book needs to be seriouly reconsidered. For any given community there are 1000's of books that literall NO ONE (in that community) would question. Libraries should focus on those books first.