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NEWS: Suburban LA County Pulls Manga Textbook

omastar444 wrote:

he makes it sound like there is no porn in a library. In any library go to the art or history section. You will find porn galore. Add on top of it that this book sounds like it is informative, I don't see any reason to remove it.

Most art books don't involve girls having sex with dragons or snakes like this book did.

mlund wrote:

Well, there was definitely something stupid done here. It was an adult Graphics + Art book tossed in with "kids comics." That sort of stuff will cause you trouble and it is evidence of ignorance or negligence on the job. They've got a right to be upset because the job wasn't done right. [snip] Oy, but try not to put books that include pictures of people having sex with dragons and squirrels in library sections catering to minors next time, eh? Then we won't have excuses for this sort of hyper-reactionary pandering. - Marty Lund

But it WAS in the adult section. It was NOT mixed in with the rest of the manga/graphic novels or in the young adult section.

Librarians self-censor everyday in selection--usually by deciding NOT to purchase a particular book for our community. But once we select it, we're passionate about why we've selected it for our particular library.

Most public libraries have a policy and procedure in place to review and handle challenges to library materials, where the review usually starts with the Head Librarian or Director (in my experience). We review the item, find reviews from respected review journals like Library Journal, Booklist, etc. that give an opinion on the material's suitability for a library, and why they should have it. Then the material is reviewed for its content, taking into consideration the material, the community, the book's INTENDED audience, and cataloging & placement of material. If we removed every book a patron complained about, we would be left with 1 book only... And even that one someone would find offensive...

I wonder what the ALA has to say about this, though, considering this and their promotion of Banned Book Week?

I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Material should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibiliy to provide information and enlightenment.

IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.

V. A person's right to use the library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.

VI. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

The book should still be in the library.
A 16 year old should not have been able to check it out if it was in the adult section. If you are going to bother having an adult section, then no one under 18 should be able to check it out without their parent's permission.

Speaking as someone who actually read this book (I borrowed it from my local library) I can tell you that Mr. Gravett seems like a very closeminded man. First of all, the images in that book aren't that bad. Second, this book is not directed towards children.

If you go to San Bernardino County gov page the guy is bragging he pulled porn from the library which included pictures of sex with animals. That's how I knew he's the pres of the County Republican Party. As a conservative this is a feather in his cap fighting liberal forces putting porn like this in the hands of our youth.