Mother protests book at library
This book was picked up in the children’s section at the Nampa Library.Mike Vogt/IPT
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Sharon Strauss
sstrauss@idahopress.com
Thursday, October 22nd, 2009
sstrauss@idahopress.com
Thursday, October 22nd, 2009
NAMPA — A Caldwell mother says a young adult book shelved in the juvenile section of the Nampa Public Library is inappropriate for children and wants it removed.
Shelly Gering told library director Karen Ganske the book, "How to Get Suspended and Influence People," by Adam Selzer, is offensive because of its use of coarse language and an abstract drawing of a nude woman on the cover.
Gering visited the library recently with her children and her 4-year-old picked the colorful book off the shelf. When she got the book home, Gering said she was appalled at the cover and the fact that it was shelved where children could see it.
Libraries linked by agreement
Shelly Gering, a Caldwell resident, has a Caldwell library card.
In the Treasure Valley, a reciprocal agreement between libraries allows cardholders to check out books from any city's library. So Gering can check out books in Nampa.
But because Gering does not live within Nampa city limits or hold a Nampa library card, she is allowed to challenge Nampa library materials with a letter but will not have the opportunity to present her case in front of the library board.
The book — a 183-page young adult humorous novel about a gifted eighth-grader who makes an avant-garde sex-education video for a class project — was shelved in the juvenile section.
Wording on the back cover contains some profanity and refers to female breasts, Gering said.
"The back cover says simply, 'You don't have to be smart to be a smart a—- But it helps.' The inside cover says the hero of the story 'originally chooses sex ed as his subject in the hopes of showing a flash of [a term for breasts]' as well as referring to the gifted and talented class as smart a--es again. I also find the picture of a naked woman (cartoon doesn't make it okay) on the front cover of the book offensive and completely inappropriate for the intended audience — children," Gering said in an e-mail to the Idaho Press-Tribune and others.
She e-mailed her message to the mayor and some Nampa City Council members, then received a call from Ganske, who told her she would be willing to consider moving the book to the teen section but not removing it from the library.
"I really couldn't recommend taking it out of the collection. It didn't seem to me it was inappropriate," Ganske said.
The book was shelved in the juvenile section because the story centers on a middle-schooler, and the library includes stories about that age group in the children's section.
"It met our guidelines for being in the children's area but it's one of those that could be a borderline," Ganske said. "It's edgy — perhaps that's a word for it — but not inappropriate for the public library. Some of the language is not refined language, but that's not unique to that book. There's other media — videos and books — with unrefined language. It sounds like a book kids would find fun and thought-provoking. It didn't sound like something that would be inappropriate to be included in a public library section," Ganske said.
Ganske also said she didn't think the drawing on the front cover of the nude woman would offend the majority of parents, but that parents should always monitor what their kids take home.
Ganske said she has placed a hold on the book so that when Gering returns it, she and staff members and library board members can review and discuss it.
"I don't usually make these decisions on my own. I talk to the people on the front lines who talk to the parents and the kids. I think it's 50/50 that maybe it may very well end up in the YA (young adult) section," Ganske said.
But Gering said that's not enough, and she wants the book — and other material with similar content — removed. She said local residents have shown their interest in having offensive materials removed — as evidenced in an earlier controversy over two adult books titled "The New Joy of Sex" and "The Joy of Gay Sex" — but that the library doesn't listen.
In 2008, the Nampa Library Board initially voted to remove the two books from the shelves and place them in the director's office. But under the threat of a costly lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union, the board voted later that year to return them to the shelves.
In lieu of the removal of "How to Get Suspended," Gering said she would like to see warning labels on potentially offensive children's books.
"We do that with movies, why don't we do that with books?" she said. "I think (the book is) completely inappropriate, and I wouldn't let a 13-year-old read it. I know they have other things like that in the library, but I think they should be removed. Unrefined — that means crude. Anything like that is disgusting. I think the people of Nampa need to decide what they want in their library."
Comments:
“This Gering woman obviously has problems that are being transferred to her child. I pity her and her family for their "inappropriate" censorship of a unique and valuable book.
John E. - 12:25 AM, Friday November 6, 2009
“There is a process for challenging a book, or any item, in the library. There should be a form available for the complainant to complete. Once filed there is a very defined procedure. Before any item in the library is moved or removed, this process needs to be followed.
Since I have not read the book, I am making some assumptions here. This book might actually belong in a section for older children. It probably should not be removed from the library. It definitely should NOT be labeled for content. That is not for libraries to do. Yes, films are labeled but not by the theater or the film stores that rent or sell. Yes, music is labeled, but again, by the industry not by the library or any individual store. Same thing for video games - it is the industry. These parents who complain and want libraries to label are making their case to the wrong entity. If this is important to society as a whole, then it will happen at the publisher level, not at the local library.
Really, clue #1, a four year old with a book over 100 pages gives one pause. The fact that she took it home is no big deal because she can always return it - no cost, no foul. This might be a good time for Mom to talk to the 4 year old about where she what area she wants him to choose his books from; what books are appropriate for him to borrow. He could understand that a book filled with words and no pictures (unless he's a genius) is not the right book for him right now. Could be the start of some good guidance and it's easy, visual, clues. Start now Mom or you won't be able to catch up later.
Babs - 9:54 AM, Tuesday November 3, 2009
“I have to agree with Amy R... it seems strange that a mom wouldn't notice that one of the books she's checking out for her four year old is a 183 page chapter book, all contents aside.
It makes sense that a YA book should be in the YA section, not shelved next to Harold and the Purple Crayon (not saying that I necessarily believe it was... I'd wait to hear what the library has to say about that) but this "protest" sounds like an attempt to ban the book from the library altogether, which is just silly.
Seems odd - 11:24 AM, Thursday October 29, 2009
“The real question to ask is how was this book picked over thousands of others. Is there a quota for "edgy" material for young adults? Members of the ALA assume no responsibility for monitoring the content dispensed to juveniles. There is an association of family friendly libraries. Check it out at www.fflibraries.org It might be an alternative.
Jimmy - 4:15 PM, Wednesday October 28, 2009
“Unless things have changed since I was last in the Nampa Public Library, there is a children's area that contains picture books (appropriate for a 4-year-old), a section for early readers ("I Can Read" and beginning chapter books), a juvenile area for the middle readers (chapter books, etc.), and a separate YA area on another floor.
To echo many of the other commenters here, why was a 4-year-old perusing a section that appears to be, content-wise(if not beyond his/her reading ability), too old for him/her? If we are talking about a very advanced reader who can actually read the books in the juvenile section, then whoever takes him/her to the library (especially if they are very concerned about exposure to more mature content) should very carefully screen anything the child picks up BEFORE they take it home. As with any other topic, just because a child has the ability to read something doesn't mean it is the best choice for their maturity level.
Amy R. - 3:25 PM, Wednesday October 28, 2009
“1. This girl must agree with those who pointed out this mother's failure to even examine the book her young child had picked out until she got home. Her child is too young to be picking out books unsupervised, and certainly too young to be reading novels. How did she miss that?
2. RE: "(the book is) completely inappropriate, and I wouldn't let a 13-year-old read it...Anything like that is disgusting." Well, I certainly hope she blindfolds and ear-plugs her child any time they are out in public and she best NEVER allow that child anywhere near such a disreputable establishment as a museum, as she finds even a cubist, non-explicit image of breasts (that are covered with a censor bar, no less)horribly offensive.
If this woman is that offended by mild edginess, she should really probably be hand-selecting reading choices for her child/children...tiny hands and a love of animals could easily grab some 'horribly dangerous' reading like "Tango Makes Three"...
Str4y - 2:12 PM, Tuesday October 27, 2009
“I wish I could use the library the way my mother did: letting us go from shelf to shelf pulling out books and enjoying them, but I can't because I can' trust what'sbetween the books I prefer them to read, so here's my solution. When there is a specific book or video I want my kids to watch or view, I go to the library's website or sometimes might call the information desk if I am unable to visit a friend and use theor access to internet, and put it on hold. When the copy is available, I receive an email from the
library and we go to the front desk to find it. When we are finished, we drop it in the box. I do not allow my young children
to cruise through the library, picking out books or videos, unless we are in the section with the Signing time videos as they recognize those after several viewings. Yes, it's a sad, but necessary solution. What will I do when it's
time to teach research skills? Get a daytime babysitter for a couple of hours while I take the one child to the library and teach them the skills they need on a need-by-need basis.
Watching over my lambs - 1:34 PM, Tuesday October 27, 2009
“I mistakenly included Ada and Meridian libraries in my letter to the editor published this morning - October 25th. Those two libraries do house the book How to Get Suspended and Influence People, but it is not in the juvenile section of the library as in the Nampa library and I did not check to see if the books contain warnings or have the covers covered in any way. I'm very sorry. I realized after the letter was sent Friday that it should not have contained those two libraries, but my e-mail asking the tribune to change it evidently arrived too late. I'm sorry.
Shelly Gering - 1:04 PM, Sunday October 25, 2009
“What is with the "all or nothing" mentality? "This offends me, therefore we must banish it". So how about this, teach your children that there are some views outside your home that will conflict with what is taught in the home, but you should always rely on the values with which you have been raised. Give the kids the tools to think for themselves, have discussions as to why this book offends you, and encourage their input. Before you know it, the children will grow into adults with their own beliefs, but will understand that their beliefs are not the only ones that count.
rant101 - 9:24 AM, Sunday October 25, 2009
“Too mant posts reeking of a "buyer beware" type mentality. Maybe the library needs more staff to guide it's patrons through the process of book selection.
Claudio Beagarie - 7:12 PM, Saturday October 24, 2009
“Perhaps, the parent should actively participate in helping their young child make the appropriate selections. Since Ms. Gering stated that two of the offenses that she took with the book were clearly visible on the cover of the book, her failure to take even a second or two to look at her young child's selection before checking the book out was her failure alone. The library is not charged with being the parent when a parent fails to be. Again, being a parent is not a part-time hobby, and it's not a responsibility that you can pass off to society whenever it proves a bit inconvenient.
Yawp - 9:05 PM, Saturday October 24, 2009
“Either society assumes the role of responsibility after the parent or pays the price for its' own irresponsibility.
Claudio Beagarie - 3:59 AM, Sunday October 25, 2009
“The "Excuse" of having many kids and being busy is NEVER a substitute for Good Parenting! I have 4 kids and NEVER has one of them walked out of the Library with a Book I have not approved first! If you are too busy to check what your kids are looking at in the Library, maybe you should reEvaluate where your Prioritys are!
Nichole - 2:23 PM, Saturday October 24, 2009
“The difficulty is always in balancing free speech with what children are exposed to. If you censor any written material, then the question of when does it stop is inevitable. Ideally, every book ever written should be available for an adult to read. Perhaps, as others have suggested, the answer is to make sure that certain materials are sectioned and rated for certain age groups.
replicant - 9:38 AM, Saturday October 24, 2009
“Obviously there is nothing wrong with such a book being in a library, but a parent who borrows such a book for a 4 year old is irresponsible and grossly incompetent. I would hope the 4 year old would sue Shelly Gering for attempting to corrupt a minor. She could escalate things and take her child to an art gallery next! I hope no one here reads any of Adam Selzer's books, I have seen them and may well never be the same again. Have a look at one and make up your own mind. Which 183 page book is a good choice for a bright 4 year old?
Ed Ricardo - 8:33 AM, Saturday October 24, 2009
“Oh, you funny Americans, so intent on spreading your freedoms across the world, so committed to denying them to your own citizens!
Amused Aussie - 5:13 AM, Saturday October 24, 2009
“Almost as amusing as the same patriots who scream freedom wanting to eliminate others who exercise those freedoms.
replicant - 9:47 AM, Saturday October 24, 2009
“Oh, you funny Americans, so intent on spreading your freedoms across the world, so committed to denying them to your own citizens!
Amused Aussie - 5:03 AM, Saturday October 24, 2009
“As a librarian, I am aware of the rambunctious nature of a library visit with children. For all of you who are worried that a YA book was shelved incorrectly, most libraries have different areas for picture books, easy readers, series books, fiction books, and non-fiction books. The last three mentioned here are usually obviously different than those geared toward younger readers. I appreciate that Ms. Gering is concerned about what her child reads; however, if she guides the child toward the books geared toward his age, helps him to pick out books, or even asks a librarian for suggestions (without dictating what others read), that would be not only a good way to stay involved in the library but an active role as a good parent.
Adina - 8:02 PM, Friday October 23, 2009
“While I don't agree that the book in question or ANY book for that matter should be all together banned from a library, I absolutely agree with Shelly Gering and lemontree that everything in the CHILDRENS section of the library should be appropriate for children! That's common sense. A book with a naked woman on the front (even abstractly drawn) and profanity on the back, is obviously not appropriate for children. The Idaho Press-Tribune article states that "The inside cover says the hero of the story 'originally chooses sex ed as his subject in the hopes of showing a flash of [a term for breasts]'. " With that in mind I'm not sure it belongs even in the teen section, the adult section is probably much more appropriate.
It is ridiculous to condemn this mother for not checking the book until she got home with it. You would assume that anything your 4 year-old picks up in the CHILDRENS section is going to be age appropriate, and she did check it after all now didn't she!
I am proud of her for speaking up to protect her children!
Penny - 7:20 PM, Friday October 23, 2009
“A mother who takes her children to the library, checks the books they read, and then voices a complaint when her 4 year-old finds a book in the CHILDRENS section that is not age appropriate?! There is a CHILDRENS section for a reason! She deserve our respect for being a good mother who takes an active role in protecting her children.
Penny - 6:00 PM, Friday October 23, 2009
“Hey Penny (and you others like Penny): Ms. Gering held the book in the library, place it on the check-out counter and got all the way home with it before she was shocked, shocked at the book her 4-YEAR-OLD chose!
Blarney - 10:15 AM, Saturday October 24, 2009
“The book in question is definitely not for 4 year olds but, contrary to what many people might be thinking, it is NOT in the section for little kids. As a parent of boys aged 3 to 16 I deal with many of the concerns addressed by people here, but ultimately with my older boys I have to trust that I have taught them well enough that they can make responsible choices...the younger ones I supervise carefully. Not all parents share my values and don't have a problem with their kids reading whatever. That is between them and their kids. If my sons are reading things they should not it is not the library's fault but either a) my failure to transfer my values effectively to them, or/and b) their curiosity. Ultimately I have to trust them though. I agree the subject matter of the book makes the YA section a better fit, but removing the book from the collection? Rather extreme.
enoch_elijah - 11:39 AM, Friday October 23, 2009
“Another lady trying to censor a book. Ho hum. Watch this title become the most read in town.
That's how it works folks.
HC - 11:28 AM, Friday October 23, 2009
“Censoring a book about censorship? You've got to be kidding! No wonder this has become a national story. And what moron checks out something for a four-year-old without looking at it first? This sure puts a bad light on your community.
Sam - 11:27 AM, Friday October 23, 2009
“Using Ms. Gering's narrow standard of what she finds offensive, we would have to remove the Bible from the library. Within its pages any child could easily read about bloody wars, violence, torture, murder, rape, incest, slavery, prostitution and polygamy...not to mention a multitude of other topics that aren't necessarily well-suited to young eyes and minds (ie – detailing the genital mutilation of male corpses on the battlefield or being forced to marry your rapist or having sex with your drunken father.). Perhaps, Ms. Gering should check out a copy of Parenting for Dummies, instead of calling attention to her own failures in this regard by telling others what they should or should not be free to read in their public library. The world is not childproof, and no parent should imagine that it should or could ever be. Being a parent isn't a part-time hobby; it's a life. Review your child's book selections before you leave the library instead of attempting to turn the public's library into a narrow, private collection for a select few.
Yawp - 10:52 AM, Friday October 23, 2009
“It is no more appropriate to introduce a four year-old to the concept of sex education than it would be to give the same child to keys to the car.
The attitude of the author concerning sex is a little bit too casual for my tastes. I would not give the book to any of my grandchildren.
From the sounds of the commentary I think that Canyon County is ripe for a "cultural revolution".
Claudio Beagarie - 10:10 AM, Friday October 23, 2009
“Allen Marsh - actually when Nampa citizens were polled they were FOR keeping the books available to everyone. Just because a loud group morons stir the pot, that does not mean the majority is for it.
chris - 3:02 AM, Friday October 23, 2009
“I don't know if you can call interviewing the 1st 2 people walking out of the library a poll.
Penny - 2:55 PM, Friday October 23, 2009
“so the picture that she found inappropriate is a cartoon of a Picasso with a black bar hiding her breasts. Guessing If she had her way she would probably put speedos on Michelangelo's David.
This woman is a substitute teacher at Vallivue, that is really scary.
chris - 2:57 AM, Friday October 23, 2009
“Inappropriate for a 4 year-old. Don't make conclusions and judgments when you have no idea of her opinion on art.
Penny - 4:22 PM, Friday October 23, 2009
“When I began reading this article my first thought was about how unfortunate it was that this book had been miss-shelved for a child to pick up inadvertanly. Finding out that is was SUPPOSED to be there in the Juvenile section is upsetting to me as well. I was unaware of there being books like this so readily available for little hands to pick up unsuspectingly - I assumed that the Juvenile section of the library was a "safer" location than that.
Relocation of all middle school geared books to a different section seems a good compromise. A separate preteen section (as Nichole above suggested) would be my first choice, but including them in the YA section would be a vast improvement. As a mother, I would much rather an older child pick up a book that is "too young" for them than a younger child ending up with one that is "too mature." There is a much bigger maturity difference between that of a four year old and thirteen year old than there would be between a thirteen year old and a sixteen or seventeen year old.
While a rating system sounds even more ideal, I doubt it is really feasible – undoubtedly, rating all the books in the library’s collection would require significant resources that most libraries don’t readily have available. And the criterion for such ratings tends to be subjective and open to additional controversy in the future.
I don’t judge this mother too harshly for inadvertently taking this book home. While I have yet to come home with an unintended item, I've done the group of kids at the library ordeal and it is quite the adventure. Anyone who has come home from the similarly harried grocery shop trip and scratched their heads in wonder at discovering an odd item that was snuck into the cart, should be able to sympathize with how hectic these situations can be.
Manda - 12:29 AM, Friday October 23, 2009
“People are smart enough to make their own decisions and it should not be up to an old woman or a library council to say what the citizen of the community should or should not be able to read. I too wonder how a pre-school aged child got home with an almost 200 page book before the grandmother even noticed it. If that child is smart enough to be reading on that level, then the child is probably smart enough to alread know the language and situations that appear in the book.
Kate - 7:49 PM, Thursday October 22, 2009
“This is right up there with the news story about the judge who wouldn't marry a mixed race couple. You're right Grandma, the country really HAS gone to pot ... when we start dictating who can READ what. I really hope this library doesn't back down and let this freedom hating Shelly Gering win. Feel awful for her child, but no doubt Gering will get what she deserves someday.
GM - 4:55 PM, Thursday October 22, 2009
“Community institution and community values. What does that even mean? And what about those who do not follow your values? Are they not citizens too that deserve to have access to books that interest them in the library they pay for? If they want to read about sex or homosexuality do they not have the right?
DK - 4:52 PM, Thursday October 22, 2009
“So, a Nampa woman wants to tell the citizens of Caldwell which books are and are not appropriate for them to read? Does that mean we have the right to tell the citizens of Caldwell what is or isn't appropriate for them to watch on TV? Just checking here.
And since WHEN did anyone in their right state of mind get the idea that anything in the YOUNG ADULT section of a library was appropriate for a FOUR YEAR OLD? That kid must have reading comprehension skills that are off the chart.
Caldwell Resident - 4:36 PM, Thursday October 22, 2009
“So she wants to take a book about censorship... and censor it.
Life gets more like The Onion every day.
Vixy - 4:34 PM, Thursday October 22, 2009
“As a parent with small children it should be expected that the "children's area" is safe. The library is a community supported institution, and should reflect the community's values.
At least provide proper shelving and a rating system similar to movies, music, video games and other media. If a convenience store won't sell pornography to a minor, why should the library give it away free? Arm parents with the ability to make proper choices in raising their children with values.
I am 100% for free speech, but that doesn't mean I want my young kids watching rated R movies. There are lines that everyone agrees to, but they are slowly eroding away. My thanks to Shelly Gering for standing up for values and what is right, and not tolerating this erosion.
Jim McKeeth - 3:46 PM, Thursday October 22, 2009
“Mckeeth you are a dinosaur! And you probably don't even believe they exist, eh?
John E. - 5:49 PM, Friday November 6, 2009
“Have any of you ever been to the library with a group of kids? You let them grab a bunch of books and sometimes something you didn't know about might get thrown in. She'd be having the same issue if the book had not made it home and she'd just noticed it while still at the library. And you may not like her philosophies and feelings on the subject, but that doesn't make her crazy nor does the situation make her irresponsible. In fact, she's actively doing something she cares about to protect her children as she sees fit. Not irresponsible or crazy, just passionate about something many people don't agree with.
That being said, I don't agree with total elimination of the book either. However, as a parent with young readers, I would love to have a "rating" level system for books...or at least to be guaranteed that in the children shelves the books are truly innocuous. I don't think four years old is the time to discuss adult body parts or why a young teenage boy is so excited about them, nor is it the time to introduce questionable language. Who designed the library shelving to include junior high level books in the same section as preschool and grade school anyway? That is the bizarre part to me. And I hope that the board does move it to YA section. Or creates a new section for junior high level books anyway.
Oh, and just because the article gave you two separate city areas, does not mean you have any real idea about where the woman lives. Newspapers aren't 100% accurate. Not like the internet anyway. ;)
Nichole - 3:39 PM, Thursday October 22, 2009
“As a Grandma I am thrilled to see a parent standing up for good old fashioned values. This is what's wrong with society today. Our country has gone to pot. Here this poor woman gets beat up for standing up for good values. There is nothing prude about wanting a clean moral environment for your children. Our children would have more self confidence if we taught them better. It is wonderful to see someone willing to bear the burden of standing up for good and right and I for one applaud her courage!
Linda Roberts - 3:20 PM, Thursday October 22, 2009
“Personally, I think she makes some good points. She never mentions burning books. Rating them would be very helpful, especially middle school level books. Additionally, I think books with "thought-provoking" content such as this SHOULD be moved to a more mature section. Why on Earth would we want to encourage middle school children, or even teenagers, to more smart a**? Isn't that what adults complain is the problem with them now? And for those of you bashing her for not checking what her 4 year old picked up in the children's section, how many of you have recently taken a pre-schooler to the library? Large and colorful describes MANY of the books there, and if you are getting several you don't always take time to review them until you get home. Even if you don't agree with all her comments or her parenting, at least she is taking a stand to protect young children, which is more than the library did!
D McKeeth - 2:58 PM, Thursday October 22, 2009
“If Gering does not like this book, then don't go done the isle the book is in. She can find other books. There are plenty of books for everyone, kids and adults.
CM - 2:53 PM, Thursday October 22, 2009
“This lady is crazy! Fine, she can monitor what her child should read but dont do it for the rest of the community. the last time I checked, Shelly Gering is not God. funny thing, if she actually knew how to read, she might have enjoyed the book.
KConklin - 1:48 PM, Thursday October 22, 2009
“A mother that takes her children to the library, checks the books their reading, and voices a complaint when her 4 year-old finds one in the CHILDRENS
Penny - 4:29 PM, Friday October 23, 2009
“The article identifies Mrs. Gering as "a Caldwell mother" yet her closing comment is "I think the people of Nampa need to decide what they want in their library."
I find this humorous. Mrs. Gering is not a Nampa citizen (according to the article) yet she's trying to force her views on those who are.
MP - 1:00 PM, Thursday October 22, 2009
“Four-year-old picks up book that 183 pages long, and his mother doesn't look at it. At least not closely enough to see that both front and back cover contain material that offends her. Yeah, it must be the book's fault.
J. L. Bell - 12:09 PM, Thursday October 22, 2009
“For all those in favor of censoring books all I have to say is last I check the Nazi efforts were defeated in WWII. That war was fought to protect freedom for ALL individuals. Personally I'm feed up with the fanatic Right wing nut jobs dictating what is "right". If you object to a book then don't check it out. If you object to a public facilities philosophy then don't go there. We contribute to our society out of the greater good not the individual interest. First they'll start with the books, then the press, then the schools, then the churches, then your home. I applaud the fortitude of the Nampa library for standing up to these bigots and their holier then thou attitude. Who gave these individuals the right to decide what is right and wrong, offensive or non-offensive. Last I checked none of these peoples names have been on any ballot for public office and if they were the public hasn't agreed with you. Keep your religious conservative values in your home and church but keep them out of the public institutions. You have a forum for your beliefs and I gladly support the right to do so. Ignorance will destroy this country and it is apparent that the mechanisms for ensuring this are in motion lead by a fanatic media and a sheepish following.
TCB - 10:37 AM, Thursday October 22, 2009
“The issue is "child development" not censorship.
Claudio Beagarie - 7:06 PM, Friday October 23, 2009
“What ever happened to if you don't like it, don't look? I have wondered if I did not like someone's hair do can I ban them from my town or state. She is from Caldwell and as it is fine that as a community we share our library's resources maybe she should take her child to the Caldwell library. Why would anyone travel so far from home to check out a book, when they have a perfectly good selection so close? maybe moving it to another part of the library for the older reading children (most 4 year olds can not read most words) would be ok but completely removing it from the library is a violation of free speech, or am I in the wrong country. I personally think she was carousing for offensive books to complain about and found one that upset her here. Maybe I am wrong and she should just pick a book by the content not the '(Colorful) Cover". did she not look at the book before she took it home? why would anyone let a young child pick a book without knowing what it was about, a four year old non the less.
KC - 9:59 AM, Thursday October 22, 2009
“Is Gering off her meds? Seriously, does this complaint deserve rigorous discussion, or simply telling this particular woman "fine, go to some other library, you loon"
Michael - 9:43 AM, Thursday October 22, 2009
“For years Mrs. Ganske and the library board has had sexually explicit (offensive) books in the library over the objections of citizens. Their philosophy is that of the American Library Association--anything should be available to anyone at any time on a privacy basis, including children having privacy from their parents' knowledge. I tried to get the library to switch to association with Family Friendly Libraries, but they prefer the ALA philosophy.
Allen Marsh - 8:26 AM, Thursday October 22, 2009
“Wow, this is all it takes for Ms. Gering to determine for the rest of us which books should be "burned?" BTW, why didn't she look the book over for her own approval before she so blithely checked the book out for her FOUR YEAR OLD (!)? Who is the irresponsible one with poor judgment?
Blarney - 8:08 AM, Thursday October 22, 2009
