Community conflicts about public library collections

[Tradd]

Yes. I personally would just as soon not have my library waste their money on a book as stupid as the Bible. But I’m not going to be a 12 year old who screams and yells about it. Some folks will be happy that it is there and I’m good with that.

Would you say the same thing about the Koran?

[jp1]

Would you say the same thing about the Koran?

Absolutely. There are undoubtedly people in my community who would want to read it.

[iris lilies]

Absolutely. There are undoubtedly people in my community who would want to read it.

OK JP, I’ll throw this one at you: Would you support your public library placing the QURAN on a shelf by itself, and above all of the books in the library? It requires that honor. In order to hold a QURAN in a culturally appropriate manner, it should be venerated.

If you think that is a ridiculous question, let me tell you that I received a complaint about that very thing.

[Tradd]

Absolutely. There are undoubtedly people in my community who would want to read it.

Let me get this straight. You wouldn’t want your library to spend money on the Bible, but you would be just okay with them spending money on the Koran?

EDIT: misread your answer. Thought it said you wouldn’t want the Bible in the library at all.

[pinkytoe]

The library system where I live now is one of the best things about being here. However, the scenario mentioned is playing out with new ultra-conservative board members (they are also joining school boards) stirring up poo. The library director resigned in protest. I don't know where it all stands now but seems ridiculous to me. Kids don't go en masse to the library to look at controversial books and parents should have the say-so over what they can check out - not the library board.

[jp1]

OK JP, I’ll throw this one at you: Would you support your public library placing the QURAN on a shelf by itself, and above all of the books in the library? It requires that honor. In order to hold a QURAN in a culturally appropriate manner, it should be venerated.

If you think that is a ridiculous question, let me tell you that I received a complaint about that very thing.

If I were a librarian I suppose I would do the research on appropriate treatment of the book. Five minutes with the googles told me that there are a variety of opinions on the topic with the extreme being that the library probably shouldn’t have one because non-Islamic people shouldn’t touch a Quran. From the library’s perspective probably the best, and easiest, way to resolve that would be to reach out to one or two leaders of the local Islamic community and follow their recommendations.

[iris lilies]

If I were a librarian I suppose I would do the research on appropriate treatment of the book. Five minutes with the googles told me that there are a variety of opinions on the topic with the extreme being that the library probably shouldn’t have one because non-Islamic people shouldn’t touch a Quran. From the library’s perspective probably the best, and easiest, way to resolve that would be to reach out to one or two leaders of the local Islamic community and follow their recommendations.

damn, you are good! This is yet another example of why you would make a fine librarian.


That is kind of what I did, although it was never resolved to change our practice. I received one answer from a semi local religious person that was just bland. I ended up going back to the complaining patron to talk further with her about it, but her phone number was disconnected. We did not change what we were doing with the Quran at this particular branch but it was a very interesting exercise.

[jp1]

damn, you are good! This is yet another example of why you would make a fine librarian.

Thanks! I had actually seriously considered that as a career option. But then I was offered a half tuition music scholarship and decided to go into arts administration instead. A few years into that career I realized that I had made a mistake so now, after a couple of random twists and turns I'm an insurance underwriter. But you're right, I probably would be at least halfway decent as a librarian and would also likely very much enjoy the job.

[jp1]

Thinking more about books I would just as soon not have my tax dollars support I think the top of the list would be those of my namesake fiction author. I’ve tried reading a couple and found them to be blah and totally not worth the time. Of course I haven’t read the 500 or so others (he seems to be a one man book of the month club) so who knows. Maybe he’s gotten better in the decade plus since I last attempted one of his books. I have friends that love his work. But the constant purchase of his books surely makes a dent in my library’s budget that prevents other better books from being purchased.

[JaneV2.0]

Thinking more about books I would just as soon not have my tax dollars support I think the top of the list would be those of my namesake fiction author. I’ve tried reading a couple and found them to be blah and totally not worth the time. Of course I haven’t read the 500 or so others (he seems to be a one man book of the month club) so who knows. Maybe he’s gotten better in the decade plus since I last attempted one of his books. I have friends that love his work. But the constant purchase of his books surely makes a dent in my library’s budget that prevents other better books from being purchased.

James Patterson? I tried to read one of his books once. I got about five pages in.