Posted on 09/14/2008 9:19:09 AM PDT by mojito
CITY OF WASILLA •Office of the Mayor•
We at the City of Wasilla have received many emails and requests for information about “banned or censored” books at the Wasilla Library while former Mayor Palin was in office. We have no records of any books being “banned or censored” ever.
Below is the policy to request reconsideration of library materials:
Reconsideration Requests of Library Materials
In accordance with the Wasilla Public Library Collection Development Policy, the library, “…strives to achieve a balanced collection of materials in the major information categories, as well as a fiction collection calculated to satisfy the widest possible variety of tastes. All viewpoints and opinions on controversial subjects will be represented whenever possible… Wasilla Public Library recognizes the right of every citizen to read and gather information, and his or her right to freedom from censorship by other persons. Many books are controversial and any given item may offend some persons. However, selections for this library will not be made on the basis of anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely on the merits of the material in relation to the building of the collection and to serving the interests of all readers. This library holds censorship to be a purely individual matter and declares that – while anyone is free to reject for himself books and other materials of which he does not approve – he cannot exercise this right of censorship to restrict the freedom of others.”
The Library conducts a systematic process whenever a Matanuska-Susitna Library Network cardholder requests the reconsideration of an item in the library collection. The first step in the process is the patron speaking with the library director, who listens to the patron concerns and explains how materials are selected for the library’s collection. It is the policy of Wasilla Public Library that all challenged materials remain in circulation until a final decision is reached and a challenged item may go through the reconsideration process only once within a twelve month period.
Our records indicate the following actions requested by library patrons:
Year of Challenge - Item Challenge - Result
1986 - Angel Dust Blues by Todd Strasser - Creation of “Young Adult” section in library and placement of item in section
1986 - Bumps in the Night by Harvey Allard - Remained on shelf
1997 - Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman - Remained on shelf
2005 - America (The Book): A Citizen’s Guide to Democracy Inaction by Jon Stewart - Remained on shelf
2007 - The Abduction by Mette Newth - Remained on shelf
Thank you for your interest in the Wasilla Public Library policy.
Mayor Dianne M. Keller
The City has made them available on pdf format.
Perhaps the ludicrous book banning story can finally be put to rest.
Hat tip: FReeper Cementjungle
Well now! That alone should secure the feminazi vote, shouldn't it?
I have a very strong feeling that the same people complaining about censoring libraries would have nothing to say if Dr. Laura or Rush Limbaugh books were censored by a library.
The good news is, since Huckleberry Finn was on the list of books that Mayor Palin supposedly wanted to burn, the DemocRATS haven't been successful in getting books banned in Wasilla either.
“Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman - Remained on shelf “
“Well now! That alone should secure the feminazi vote, shouldn’t it? “
**snicker**
BTT!
Our Baltimore County Library system was second in size to the LA County system maybe 20 years ago.
“Heather Has Two Mommies” is still on the shelf, 3 copies in the system, down from 7 a few years back.
Search for a Rush Limbaugh book and you get squat. They sold them, which is why I don’t believe this library system is #2. They sell books as fast as they buy them.
Censorship is a reality in the Baltimore County Library System.
You are mistaken as Obama has other plans as discussed by DU and others. The truth of an issue is what the Left says it is; evidence has no weight. The Left will continue to make any claim no matter the absence of official documents or credible witnesses. They calculate that the very weight of accusation will have the effect of damaging Sarah Palin and by extension John McCain.
What? No MEN up there want to be mayor? :_)
Exactly right, I have posted that too.
Bump for truth...
It's not even appropriate to call such actions censorship. Public libraries have limited space and can't carry all published books. Most books must be excluded and decisions should be made based on the reading interests of a community.
The idea that there is ANYTHING wrong with removing Heather Has Two Mommies from the shelves (if that had happened) and replacing it with a book more want to read is absurd.
I bet these complainers had no problem with the Fairness Doctrine.
Censorship is when a community tries to give input into what books it wants in its library.
Appropriate decision-making is what it is called when a librarian decides for the community.
Librarians are mostly liberals and library’s book selectors are mostly liberals. Review tools that book selectors use in collection development are produced and written, mostly, by liberals.
People who use libraries are mostly liberals, cheapskates, kooks or a combination of all of the above.
This is based on first hand knowledge. :)
“People who use libraries are mostly liberals, cheapskates, kooks or a combination of all of the above.”
LOL!
I “use” my local public library about once a week.
I also “use” two of my local bookstores at about the same rate. One retails only new books, the other deals solely in used books.
Reading is my primary source of entertainment.Yes I have cable TV and the internet...but I don’t spend much time on either.
Without access to a public library, it would be impossible to “discover” new authors. If I enjoy a book, I tend to attempt to collect the authors total works.
My budget does not allow me to collect first edition hardbacks of my favorite authors. My collection is almost entirely paperback, and a mixture of “new” and used. I also loan or give my books to friends.And yes, there is no room in my apartment devoid of a stack of books, including the bathrooms and the pantry!
Since I am demonstrably neither a cheapskate or a liberal,I assume you would deem me a “kook”?
We at the City of Wasilla have received many emails and requests for information about "banned or censored" books at the Wasilla Library while former Mayor Palin was in office. We have no records of any books being "banned or censored" ever.No way! Does that mean the partisan media shills have LIED about this?!? ;')
Quick! Checklist:
Liberal: Nope
Cheapskate: Guilty as charged!
Kook: Hey, I post on FR!
Not that I disagree with your point about librarians, etc. It is well taken.
What part of “mostly” did you not understand?
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