There has been a flurry of news stories regarding the availability—or in some cases the lack thereof—of the recently released book "Fifty Shades of Grey" and its two sequels, written by author E. L. James. Notably, some public libraries have chosen not to make these titles available for patrons, for fear of complaints regarding content.
Here in Maryland, one local system, the Harford County Public Library, has chosen not to purchase "Fifty Shades" because, according to Jennifer Ralston, the library system's head of materials management, "the library does not purchase pornography, and we therefore did not purchase the book." There have been some isolated cases of this form of censorship occurring nationally, most notably in individual library systems in Florida, and Wisconsin. Favorably, in one of these cases (in Brevard County, Florida), the library in question rescinded their ban "in response to public demand."
I have read portions of "Fifty Shades of Grey," and can see why some might jokingly refer to the books as "mommy porn." The content does dwell heavily on the S&M sexual relationship between the two main characters, and doesn't pull any punches, so to speak, on the intimate details of their affair. However, I do not accept the premise that these books have no redeeming social value, and are the same as hard-core pornography. I bet the content in many other romance titles already available in the library isn't much different than that found in "Fifty Shades."
Looking at current trends, it would seem that area readers agree with my assessment of this popular title. Here in Baltimore County, well over 1,100 library patrons are presently on the waiting list to check out one of the 396 copies of the book that were purchased. The story is the same in Anne Arundel County, where nearly 600 people are waiting for the book, while nearly 1,000 Howard County readers patiently wait for their chance to flip through the pages of "Fifty Shades."
In order to remain relevant, public libraries must focus on giving readers what they want, rather than getting caught up in a dubious quest to maintain moral purity within their collections.
As someone who has been involved with library issues for some time, I am deeply troubled to see any public library choose not to purchase books for lending to patrons on the basis of a value judgment regarding content. In my role as a member of the Baltimore County Board of Library Trustees, I would never want to be in the position of imposing my understanding of either the value or appropriateness of a book onto readers in our county. Rather, I subscribe to the following concept, best expressed by the late Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall: "If the 1st Amendment means anything, it means that a state has no business telling a man, sitting alone in his own house, what books he may read or what films he may watch."
What do you think is the role of public libraries in deciding what content is or is not appropriate for patrons? Do you think "Fifty Shades of Grey" counts as hard-core porn? Tell us in the comments.
As for this book, I will ask: Would you want to handle THIS book after 50 people had it before you? LOL
As to whether this book is hardcore porn, having read them, they are no worse than a Harlequin romance novel, and the hardcore BDSM aspect fades after the first book, as the couple's relationship takes a more "vanilla" path. Granted, some sex scenes are still not so PG13 rated, but they are being read mainly by ADULT women who are able to use their own judgment on what content they deem acceptable. After all the hype revolving around this series, I doubt any readers picked up the book and were shocked by its content. Readers know what they are getting in to, and have the right to read what they want, be it "mommy porn" or a self help book (maybe they are one in the same?!) :-)
This is a public library. It's held to much different standards then a bookstore. What are you going to suggest? That we have an adult section built into libraries? 18+ only with someone guarding it? Who's going to do the cleanups in that section?
The following link highlights some of the books that have been banned by various libraries in the past: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/challengedclassics/reasonsbanned Going down the slippery slope of banning books and other forms of speech is not what America is about.
I think you are over reacting to this. Plus Harford county is a more conservative area. The idea that you should force your beliefs on them is sort of annoying.
The slippery slope is an easy argument that can magically apply to effectively anything. See, the thing is, I'm not even suggesting that I completely agree with this country's views on what is classified as "pornography". Although to be fair, that's always going to be judged individually. However, that's not really the point. I'm fashioning a view based on the reality we live in. Public libraries should reflect the general public's views on the issue of "pornogrpahy". Right or wrong. Again, public libraries, last i checked, aren't the lone source of books in this country. Until the day they are, the "slippery slope" argument doesn't apply, in my view.
I'm sure there are more books in the library that you would not want your daughter to see, does that mean we should buy another one? Does that mean we should buy all of the books out there, smutty, X rated, or whatever, and put them in the library so there is absolutely no censorship? Really, perhaps all the libraries should have an "over 18 only" room like many old VHS rental stores used to have. Of course you would also need a committee that decided what belonged in the room. And then you would need library card electronic access to the room for control. All of those access records would be public domain so we could see that Congressman Sleeze visited the "dirty" room 300 times in the last year, etc, etc. There are currently 1000's of books in the library that would take people a lifetime to read them all, but suddenly it's a censorship issue if this book doesn't make the shelves. In the "old days" there would have been no discussion and the book (along with many others) would not be there - right or wrong. I say if you see books in the library that you think are innapropriate for your daughter, tell the library staff the basis of your concern. Maybe the library board can vote if they stay on the shelves or go. Someone has to make the call!
It would be great if parents could / would walk behind their child and monitor them everywhere they went. Unfortunately, that is not realistic. Ten seconds in the wrong place is all they need. If you control your kids that tightly, then congratulations, you are the only parent in America that never lets their kids out of sight for even that amount of time. We can better control what goes on in our own house, but you have no idea what might go on in another house, no matter what those parents tell you. If you believe the public library should not ban any book, then I assume it is OK with you if they put the vilest filth you can think of on the shelves for general viewing, correct? You will make sure your kid never gets to it?
Also, just where did I say that every book should be on a library shelf for general viewing. I have no problem with a library monitoring who has access to certain material - this is done quite regulalrly in library systems across the country. It is done everyday with internet access in most library systems. Monitoring and/or restricting access to a publication is not the same as an outright ban.
So having a controlled XXX room at the library is OK by your standards? I would prefer my tax dollars get spent better ways. Also, I'm sure you are / were a fine parent, but it only takes seconds for kids to find trouble so even brief exposure to some of the henious crap out there could have quite a nasty long term impact on your kids. The world is much more dangerous now than when I was a kid. I don't think we need to add to that problem at the library.
Again, I agree with Paul re: where my tax dollars are going though. There's no lack of 'material' at home you could access or buy in other stores. Public libraries should be places of learning, not ummm yeah you know. Not violating the ToS here.
http://www.listal.com/list/banned-burned-censored
I am sure the carry the Candace Bushnell books. I agree with steve on the banning or not carrying the political writers. There has to be an equal amount of information available for people to be able to form their own opinions. I do see mor liberals condeming opinions that arent similar to their own. It is ok for them to vice an opinion in favor or oposition to something but if the conservatives start to do the same there is an up rising. Where does the censorship and control stop?