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Banished from a public library?
Life and Liberty Ministries ^ | 8/20/05 | Dennis Green

Posted on 08/20/2005 8:00:43 PM PDT by 4lifeandliberty

"Banishment" from a Public Library? August 20, 2005

I recently received a letter from a local Public Library that was not unexpected. Over the years I have sought to educate the public with regard to the murder of the preborn. Public libraries are a great place to disperse information.

In most Public Libraries you can find books with graphic nudity, perversion, introductions to the sodomite lifestyle and the like. The American Library Association will let most anything pass as "good literature" and they raise their voice against "censorship" if ever a "prudish" individual questions a selection in the collection of literature on their shelves.

The ALA opposes any restrictions on access to pornography in public libraries--even for children.

Here is the the letter I received. -------------------------------------------------------------------

Mr. Green:

On Friday, August 12th, a library staff member observed you inserting anti-abortion cards in several books in the Young Adult section of the Powhatan County Public Library. These cards have also been found throughout the Adult collection, the Front Display Case, the Meeting Room hallway and the Men's bathroom.

Library policy forbids soliciting, campaigning and petitioning in the Library and in and around Library entryways. Furthermore, materials placed in public display areas must be suitable for viewing by all ages. No materials may be distributed to the public without the Library Director's approval.

Failure to comply with library policies will result in banishment from the Powhatan County Public Library.

Sincerely, Kim Armentrout Library Director ------------------------------------------------------------------

I must say that this is the first threat of banishment I have ever received. I wonder if I had brought pornography into the library, would I have received the same letter.

Let me explain.

Some time ago I approached the Library Director to ask why there were no internet filters on the computers that were available for public use. Many Public Libraries are notorious for making internet pornography accessable to their patrons.

I heard several of the same excuses that I had heard before at other Public Libraries.

"It's not a problem here" and "filters are too expensive".

I even offered to pay for the filtering software. Ultimately, the truth seems to be that many Public Libraries just simply don't want to place any limits on the internet pornography that can be accessed on their computer screens.

As I looked through this particular library, I saw books with photographs of graphic sex that had been approved by the Library Director.

I saw books in the Young Adult section that encouaged young girls to have their preborn babies killed and even provided contact information for abortion providers.

The items that are "suitable for viewing by all ages" in this library are clearly not items that would make it onto lists of most people.

So here I stand, with the threat of "banishment" hanging over my head. What are my options here?

1. I could just forget about the murdered preborn and the command to speak out on their behalf. I could simply hang out with the children at the Library looking at the porn in their books and on their computers. This would be acceptable to the ALA and I probably wouldn't receive any threatening letters.

or

2. I could just go on speaking out on behalf of my King wherever that may be. This may not be nearly as acceptable to those who stock the bookshelves but I think it is the better of the two choices.

I encourage you to stand against the flood of sin that seeks to overwhelm the young people in your community. You can make a difference for good. Though you may find yourself "banished", there will be a place prepared for you if you remain faithful to your King.


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: abortion; ala; christian; godblessyou; internet; leaflets; library; pornography; prolife
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1 posted on 08/20/2005 8:00:43 PM PDT by 4lifeandliberty
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To: 4lifeandliberty
"Library policy forbids soliciting, campaigning and petitioning in the Library and in and around Library entryways. No materials may be distributed to the public without the Library Director's approval."

Seem like pretty simple rules.

2 posted on 08/20/2005 8:03:29 PM PDT by BenLurkin (O beautiful for patriot dream - that sees beyond the years)
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To: 4lifeandliberty
You inserted materials in public library books and you're surprised they banned you?

The content of the leaflets is irrelevant.
3 posted on 08/20/2005 8:07:32 PM PDT by clyde asbury (Desperado, you've been outright offensive for so long now.)
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To: 4lifeandliberty
Congress shall make no law abridging the Freedom of Speech.

But we're not dealing with Congress. The Library Director is in charge. She can do what she wants. She wants books featuring graphic sex? It's her call. She wants to keep out material that is anti-abortion? It's her call.

Librarians are highly politicial. Typically, very Left. Very Gramschi. Not much you can do about it.

4 posted on 08/20/2005 8:07:55 PM PDT by ClearCase_guy
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To: 4lifeandliberty
"Library policy forbids soliciting, campaigning and petitioning in the Library and in and around Library entryways. No materials may be distributed to the public without the Library Director's approval."

If you don't like the rules, change them. Become the library director. That policy is hardly unreasonable. I don't want to be handed flier by every lefty group in the Library.

5 posted on 08/20/2005 8:08:48 PM PDT by DuckFan4ever (Cindy who?)
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To: 4lifeandliberty

Although your cause may be noble, do you feel like that is the right place for you to put your "information" when it is clearly stated that you cannot do so?


6 posted on 08/20/2005 8:09:32 PM PDT by softwarecreator
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To: 4lifeandliberty
Look, I am as prolife as they get - I just talked to a young mother, who I spent more than a little time convincing not to abort her kid. The baby is four, now.

But if you are hanging around leaving literature in library bathrooms, seek help.

You need it.

7 posted on 08/20/2005 8:09:39 PM PDT by patton ("Hard Drive Cemetary" - forthcoming best seller)
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To: 4lifeandliberty

You were wrong my friend.


8 posted on 08/20/2005 8:12:15 PM PDT by cyborg (I'm having the best day ever.)
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To: patton

Some people get a little obsessed about saving people from the consequences of their choices.


9 posted on 08/20/2005 8:14:40 PM PDT by cyborg (I'm having the best day ever.)
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To: cyborg

Yes, but it's also a little weird.


10 posted on 08/20/2005 8:16:21 PM PDT by durasell (Friends are so alarming, My lover's never charming...)
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To: cyborg

I did?


11 posted on 08/20/2005 8:16:54 PM PDT by patton ("Hard Drive Cemetary" - forthcoming best seller)
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To: patton
I agree with you.  No one can debate that the guy's cause is a good one, but ...

Hanging around in library bathrooms kinda makes you a bit creepy, you know?  If I went into a bathroom and some guy, who was obviously hanging out there, came around the corner trying to "hand" me something, he would be requiring medical attention real fast.

12 posted on 08/20/2005 8:17:23 PM PDT by softwarecreator
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To: patton

No what this freeper is trying to do.


13 posted on 08/20/2005 8:18:14 PM PDT by cyborg (I'm having the best day ever.)
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To: 4lifeandliberty
Why should you have the right to distribute your fliers in library books? Should that right be extended to Planned Parenthood as well?

And, as regards internet pornography, who appointed you the judge of what others should or should not be able to access? Bearing in mind, I write this a pro-lifer who considers pornography dangerous to the mind. But neither you nor I have the authority to tell anyone else what they can research.

14 posted on 08/20/2005 8:18:56 PM PDT by jude24 ("Stupid" isn't illegal - but it should be.)
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To: jude24

Very well put.


15 posted on 08/20/2005 8:19:40 PM PDT by softwarecreator
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To: jude24

There's pornography on the internet? I'm shocked!


16 posted on 08/20/2005 8:20:14 PM PDT by durasell (Friends are so alarming, My lover's never charming...)
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To: 4lifeandliberty

As if the libraries had infinite budgets and can buy a copy of every publication. Considering it is the taxpayers who fund the library, they ought to have a say in what publications their public libraries buy.


17 posted on 08/20/2005 8:21:09 PM PDT by Paleo Conservative (France is an example of retrograde chordate evolution.)
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To: ClearCase_guy

It's a public library. The head librarian is little more than an agent of the state. Such people are not entitled to an opinion regarding what is or is not free speech, nor may they pray on the job.


18 posted on 08/20/2005 8:27:27 PM PDT by muawiyah (/ hey coach do I gotta' put in that "/sarcasm " thing again?)
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To: 4lifeandliberty

It's people like you who give all principled opponents of abortion a bad name.


19 posted on 08/20/2005 8:34:21 PM PDT by saquin
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To: muawiyah

No one has the right to disrupt or other library patrons. Freedom of speech means only that the Government cannot penalize you for what you say; it does not require them to provide you a forum.


20 posted on 08/20/2005 8:35:01 PM PDT by jude24 ("Stupid" isn't illegal - but it should be.)
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