The NY Times had an interesting article on “A Library’s Approach to Books That Offend” (ALISON LEIGH COWAN). From locking books away in a special request cage to limiting circulation to certain ages, it seems the libraries of the US are dealing with things like racism and graphic sexuality in diverse ways. The important thing to know is that libraries making decisions about what is appropriate make their decisions most often by who complains.

The article emphasizes that,  “In general, librarians are trained to tackle any complaints about books with a polite demeanor. But they are also instructed to stand firm in defending the book’s presence in the library. On the rare occasions when a formal objection is upheld by library officials, a book may be removed or put in a less accessible area; that way, the challenged item remains in the library’s collection, although it is harder to find.”

As we web-savvy erotica readers know, every sort of sexual literature is for sale on the web — from sweet, first-time lovers to polysexual demon changelings. But that means erotica is available not to all citizens equally but only to those with means and access. Public libraries have been around since Roman times, although the philosophy behind the modern public library is that all citizens, regardless of class, should have access to general information and leisure reading. My mother checks out 3-4 popular fiction books a week, but I have to buy my books online.

“Policies should not unjustly exclude materials and resources even if they are offensive to the librarian or the user,’’ says the Web site of the American Library Association, which adds, “Toleration is meaningless without tolerance for what some may consider detestable.” 

Although the library in the NY Times article had received a complaint (one complaint and it becomes a quandry?), the librarian kept Alan Moore’s sexually explicit Lost Girls on the shelf because it was in constant circulation. Exactly.