intelectual freedom and parents advisory in the library

At least a few times a week at the Linden Tree bookstore where I work I will see a child with a book intended for an elder age bracket. As it is our role to promote all the books we can, I simply allow it to happen given the parents approve and that the parents know basics of the book. The same works for all media materials especially in a public library. I look forward to my first experience on the service end of a public library in my internship next semester. But based on everyones comments I can see how we have an overwhelming consensus on that it is the parent's responsibility to be the gatekeepers to what their children are allowed to experience/learn. For one clear reason, parents are legally responsible for their child till the child turns 18 and librarians are not. As strong believers in intellectual freedom, I believe it it is any public librarians duty to open all peoples minds (help all people learn) and grow everyones imaginations. This means everyone also has the freedom to check out anything, but kids are legally "guarded" by their parents, and parents are responsible for their kids. 

I think the main reason parents complain about content of books is that the parents themselves are unaware of the material's content until it is to late to keep the child from "exposure" to undesirable content. I think it is as many (all) of us do that parents need to be fully aware of the content or at least subject matter of the books they are letting their kids read. Parents need to always play a proactive role in defining appropriateness of the materials their kids are experiencing, lest their kids grow up "too fast" or any other criteria (as defined by each individual parent).     

In terms of dealing with the parent who takes issue with the librarians lack of legal responsibility (liability) for their child,  I would simply remind them it is not a librarian's job to impede on the freedoms of anyone. 

Diversity in Tween lit

I have done research on why there is such a disparity between the diversity as shown in the  demographics of a city and the diversity actually represented on the local shelves of Los Altos, CA. To me there is a serious and detrimental disconnect between who the people in many cities actually identity with and the lack of representative representation on the library and bookstore shelves. There are many reasons for this. My past and future research is trying to figure out why. As well as what can be done by patrons, librarians, publishers, book buyers and booksellers to remedy this injustice to readers and writers alike.

I totally agree with Jacqueline Wood’s article and especially her conclusion “My belief is that there is room in the world for all stories, and that everyone has one.” Experiences have to be shared in order for stories to be authentically shared. If analogous experiences and stories aren’t heartfelt then inauthenticity is evident. It would be interesting to see about the ethnicity of authors who present books to publishers as compared to the ethnicity of the authors who get published by a major publisher.  I loved the publishers perspective article. Especially when it pointed out the myth that diverse books don’t sell and when it talked about the need for increased visibility of diverse literature.

Our lives are full of stories, daily stories, lasting stories, all types of emotional stories and unless we relate directly or analogously to the story we can tell the story does not right true for us as individual readers. Particularly when ethnicity or minorities are being focused on in the stories of our lives, we need to be sensitive to the feelings of others, and how their stories are told and shared.  I think that real multiculturalism is only possible when there is sensitivity, shared experiences and real dialogue.   Writers and story tellers of all kinds need to write or tell what they know, and not pretend otherwise.

 Yes there should be and there will be awards based on race, minorities need to be celebrated as often and as spectacularly as possible. As for promoting multicultural books, it is our duty to uphold our patrons desires, and that is partially impacted by reflecting our local demographics accurately.   

In summary, we should all read what we already love or learn to love.

Reference:

Woodson, J. (1998). Who can tell my story. Horn Book Magazine, 74(1), 34-38.

Edited by Andrew Durham on Oct 12 at 5:31pm