Backstory:
Back in March, a YA librarian posted on the YALSA-BK listserv looking for recommendations for books (fiction and non-fiction) with anti-homosexual themes and tales of "ex-gay" characters. The listserv blew up with a flurry of e-mails bashing the requester, jumping to conclusions about her motives and beliefs, and basically causing a virtual riot. After the furious posts died down a bit, the original poster responded to let everyone know that the reason for her request was that two patrons had recently filed a complaint against the library's collection practices and requested for the removal of several books from the library's young adult collection which she deemed "perverse and pornographic language" and the inclusion of "oppositional, i.e., ex-gay, faith-based materials" in the YA collection.
Spurred to action after finding an "Out of the Closet" booklist (which has now evidently and inexplicably been renamed "Over the Rainbow"on the library's website, patrons Ginny and Jim Maziarka made the following request (link is to the full post):
Our requests are three-fold: 1. To bring balance to the YA Zone as well as the adult section of our library by providing faith-based and ex-“gay” books that oppose a pro-homosexual ideology. 2. That the book recommendation list under the name “Out of the Closet”, which brings a pro-homosexual connotation to the list, be renamed and include an equal balance of faith-based and ex-“gay” books that oppose a pro-homosexual ideology. 3. We are asking for the removal of “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” and “The Geography Club” for their explicit pornographic sexual nature. We have additionally requested "Deal With It!" be withheld, as it appears that it is in the works for our YA Zone.
What Happened:
The patrons provide a fairly good (and seemingly accurate) blog account of the process that they've gone through in order to have their requested honored. It's obviously a biased account peppered with their thoughts and beliefs on the situation, but you can at least get a sense for what has been happening and their reasons for the complaint. For a less-biased account, the Daily News also has an article. But basically, after filing a formal complaint, they met first with the YA librarian, then the library (both of whom refused their requests citing the library's collection development policy and use of book reviews, etc. Unsatisfied with the outcome, they intended to take it to a library board meeting, BUT the meeting was cancelled and the complaint rejected.
And Finally...
Since then, the request has morphed into a slightly different one, involving shifting and labeling of materials, restriction of Internet access, but still including the request for materials offering a "balanced perspective" on homosexuality, and there's been a signature campaign and a town meeting. Most recently, Publisher's Weekly notes that four members of the library board who disagreed with the patron request were dismissed/did not have their terms renewed.
Craziness.
What I'd Like To See:
I totally disagree with the patron's request, but I think it would be kind of awesome (in a not really awesome way) to see them label all materials in the collection that feature "sexually explicit" material. The entire Romance section would be one big label. And might children's books like And Tango Makes Three and Heather Has Two Mommies, be determined "sexually explicit" just for featuring homosexual relationships? What about books like Mommy Laid an Egg? Who makes that decision, anyway?
I especially love that they think the Geography Club is sexually explicit. Seriously? I have tons of books with more KISSING in them than that one.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Geography Club, but I saw that they have it at the middle school where I'll be in the fall. I was surprised they had it. Given the controversy, I just assumed it was really graphic and NOT something appropriate for a middle school library (regardless of whether the characters were hetero or homosexual). I mentioned to the librarian about how that book was on "the list" at West Bend and she was shocked and said she'd read it and couldn't recall anything explicit. I guess sometimes it's important to read the book, huh?
ReplyDelete_four members of the library board who disagreed with the patron request were dismissed/did not have their terms renewed._
ReplyDeleteWhat an immature, irresponsible way to deal with people with whom you disagree. Seems to be quite stylish these days, too.
Hi, Alicia! Appreciate the attention to our situation, as it gives us an opportunity to lend insight and, perhaps, answers to your questions.
ReplyDeleteAlicia, you stated "...but I think it would be kind of awesome (in a not really awesome way) to see them label all materials in the collection that feature "sexually explicit" material. The entire Romance section would be one big label. And might children's books like And Tango Makes Three and Heather Has Two Mommies, be determined "sexually explicit" just for featuring homosexual relationships? What about books like Mommy Laid an Egg?"
You do understand, Alicia, the nature of the words sexually explicit? Let's take a look at this - (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), “sexually explicit conduct” means actual or simulated—
(i) sexual intercourse, including genital-genital, oral-genital, anal-genital, or oral-anal, whether between persons of the same or opposite sex;
(ii) bestiality;
(iii) masturbation;
(iv) sadistic or masochistic abuse; or
(v) lascivious exhibition of the genitals or pubic area of any person;
This is short and concise, but you get the idea. Therefore, kissing would not fall into this category, nor would homosexual books for children, as you had mentioned, that do not contain such acts.
Secondly, there is a misconception about the library board members. They were not "dismissed" but, more accurately, they were not reappointed. The reason give by the City Council members (with the exception of one), was a lack of timeliness in dealing with the complaint.
Next, there is no list of books. There is nothing more than a petition with requests for helping parents identify sexually explicit books and choose whether or not their children may have access to them, and some form of filtering system for the internet on the library computers. Instead of misconception that we are asking for books to be removed (which we are not), we are asking for more information, not less, on the controversial issues that are the hot-topics of today's society. All reasonable requests. Yes, we have publicly admitted we did not do enough research in the beginning of this complaint process. However, we brought both homosexual and heterosexual examples to our YA librarian from the start and asked for ideas and assistance. Since the City Attorney has withdrawn our complaint and asked us to begin again, we are doing so with something we feel is much more reasonable and do-able. We have offered our help and are interested in our librarians ideas. To date, we have received silence. And this is the point we are at currently.
Thanks for your interest, again.