No Input Please, We’re Librarians

When I was a youngster I virtually lived in the library. Andrew Carnegie gave away his millions by building libraries in communities like mine. I loved the Carnegie Library in my little home town. Since we could not spend money frivolously on books and magazines, I did a lot of my reading in the library. Boy’s Life, the National Geographic, and Flying magazine were some of my favorites.

Librarians were those ladies of a certain age behind the high desk where you checked out your books. They were the ones who put them back on the shelves when you returned them. They were quiet people who gave you “that look” if you made too much noise, interrupting the stillness that I always associate with libraries.

My, how times have changed.

Instead of places where kids and adults could settle in for a good read, or pick up a good book, they have become the last line of defense against the marauding hordes of censors and book burners. The embattled defenders of freedom and the First Amendment. And they will brook no opposition.

When it comes to what goes on library shelves, they are the “deciders” and anyone who questions their absolute moral authority is a Fascist in sheep’s clothing.

Oh, they don’t put it quite that way. People who question their decisions are “well intentioned,” but they really don’t understand the role of a library and the American Library Association is there to explain it to you.

They have a list of suggestions for handling the BANNERS, CENSORS, BOOK BURNERS, REDNECKS AND DERANGED PARENTS … sorry … as I was saying … concerned citizens who may have objections to what the Liberian has put on the shelves.

The first rule for Liberians faced with these … concerned citizens … is always to smile! I have it right here from the ALA. “Actively” listen to the complaint. Tell them you understand. Tell them

• “I’m sorry you’re upset. I understand your concern.”

• Stay calm and courteous

• Talk about freedom of choice

Then tell them were to go.

There is another section about dealing with the media:

Have one spokesperson for the library. Make sure that reporters, library staff and the members of the board know who this is. Make it clear that no one other than this spokesperson should express opinions on behalf of the library.

Prepare carefully for any contacts with the media. Know the most important message you want to deliver and be able to deliver it in 25 words or less. You will want to review your library’s borrowing and collection development policies and the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights.

Practice answering difficult questions and answers out loud. You may wish to invest in a session with a professional media consultant. ALA offers this training at Annual Conferences.

I have searched the ALA website and it’s a full throated cry for free expression and free inquiry and why, when Librarians decide not to put a book or periodical in the library it’s not censorship.

And they are right, it’s not. Censorship is a lot more serious than refusing to have “Heather Has Two Mommies.” In fact, as much as we may decry it, censorship is not even about a publisher deciding not to distribute a book. Stanley Fish has a provocative essay on the subject and while we may agree or disagree on whether a book should be published or on the shelves of a library, it’s absence is not prima fascia evidence of censorship.

What I find off-putting is the ALA’s position of superiority when it is faced with requests to take something off the shelves of the local library. If “Mein Kampf” is not in my local library it’s not evidence of censorship but sensitivity to the feelings of many people in my community. If anyone wants to get a copy, it’s not hard. You can find it on the web or at Amazon.com and you won’t be prosecuted for getting it.

The ALA has devoted pages of its website to the vigorous defense of the rights of Librarians to stock their shelves with anything their hearts desire. It has devotes more pages to teaching those librarians how to deflect and turn away the efforts of the people in the community to have input into what’s on the shelves, all in the name of the First Amendment.

Nowhere is there the slightest hint that Librarians should take actually take citizen complaints of the content of the shelves seriously and remove objectionable material. Like pornography, censorship seems to be what Libratians say it is. That is not acceptable and in a Democracy it should not be.

The ALA's postion puts new meaning to the words "Quiet Please."