AMERICAN LIBRARIES (Special Issue)
(2012 State of American Libraries Report)

Here’s the complete list of the Top 10 Banned Books of 2011, as compiled by the OIF from 326 recorded challenges:
ttyl; ttfn; l8r; g8r series by Lauren Myracle (offensive language; religious viewpoint; sexually explicit; unsuited to age group) Myracle’s ttyl series was the most frequently challenged book in 2011.

The Color of Earth series by Kim Dong Hwa (nudity; sex education; sexually explicit; unsuited to age group)

The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins (anti-ethnic; anti-family; insensitivity; offensive language; occult/satanic; violence)

My Mom’s Having a Baby! A Kid’s Month-by-Month Guide to Pregnancy by Dori Hillestad Butler (nudity; sex education; sexually explicit; unsuited to age group)

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (offensive language; racism; religious viewpoint; sexually explicit; unsuited to age group)

Alice series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (nudity; offensive language; religious viewpoint)

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (insensitivity; nudity; racism; religious viewpoint; sexually explicit)

What My Mother Doesn’t Know by Sonya Sones (nudity; offensive language; sexually explicit)

Gossip Girl series by Cecily Von Ziegesar (drugs; offensive language; sexually explicit)

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (offensive language; racism)

THE INQUISITR
James Johnson | June 18, 2012

The Greenville Public Library Board of Trustees have come under fire from The National Coalition Against Censorship, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund after the board decided to hear a challenge regarding Alan Moore’s Neocomicon (Avatar).

The book which has come under challenge in Greenville, SC public libraries contains sexual acts and language for which one parent issued a challenge.

In a statement regarding the possible removal of the book a letter sent to the Library Board of Trustees reads:
“Removing the book because of sexual content not only fails to consider the indisputable value of the book as a whole, but also ignores the library’s obligation to serve all readers, without regards to individual tastes and sensibilities.”

A patron objected to the book after their teenage daughter checked it out of the library’s adult section. The teenage girl however was given an adult library card which ultimately allowed her to check out adult themed books.

The groups opposing the challenge warn that the books removal could lead to First Amendment implications.

Alan Moore is the acclaimed author of the graphic novels Watchmen and V for Vendetta both of which have been turned into Hollywood action movies.

The groups opposing the challenge call Mr. Moore “one of the most influential and acclaimed authors in both the graphic novel category and the larger literary culture.”

The book Neonomicon is being called an “essential work by an author who is indisputably a master within his field.”

CLINTON-HERALD
Katie Dahlstrom | June 15, 2012

The Erie School Board on Thursday upheld its decision to ban a book and lesson plan on diversity and tolerance of same-sex parents.

In May, the School Board banned the “The Family Book,” by Todd Parr and accompanying materials.

The materials, which are part of the “Ready, Set, Respect!” lesson endorsed by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, were implemented at the elementary school this spring as part of the diversity and tolerance unit in the school.

One of the controversial lines in “The Family Book” states “some families have two moms or two dads.” After receiving complaints from several parents, the materials selection committee reviewed the book and lessons before the board voted 5-2 to ban them at its May meeting.

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NEWS-HERALD
Letter to the Editor | June 15, 2012

I never realized that public libraries were in the business of loaning out pornographic books filled with bondage, sadism and masochism (“Library agrees to supply controversial bestseller,” news, June 7). I was especially surprised to learn from this article that our local library is planning to do so.

Maybe I’m old fashioned, but I thought public libraries were there for the public good, to enrich people’s lives and minds. How does a book such as “Fifty Shades of Grey” enrich people’s lives or their minds? And why does our local library feel the need to supply this book to its patrons?

Vicki Patterson, a local librarian and one of the review board members who approved the book, says it’s because “a book this much in demand should be available to the public.” Well, Ms. Patterson, the book is available to the public through various other means than a library, including countless bookstores, online, etc. Her reason that the book is in great demand is not a valid reason for the library to supply a pornographic book to the public. That used to be what X-rated bookstores were for.

Another member of the review board who also approved the book, Jim Boyd Jr., stated that he absolutely did not want a 12-year-old to read “Fifty Shades of Grey.” He went on to say “the library cannot assume the responsibility of requesting identification at the check-out counter …” If that is the case, that no one’s age will be verified before they can check out this book, then there is nothing that I can see that will prevent a young child, such as the 12-year-old Mr. Boyd is referring to (or an 11-year-old or 10-year-old), from checking out and reading this book. Could a lawsuit against the library then ensue from a parent who claims the library personnel allowed their young child to “view” pornography?

I don’t know the answer to that question. I do know it’s very sad that in Bay County, gone are the days when parents could drop off their young kids at the local public library and know they were in a safe and “clean” environment, reading about interesting and wonderful things like bugs, polar bears, the solar system, ocean creatures and so on. Now at the library, parents have to worry about their kids getting their hands on a pornographic book.

Other public libraries across the country took the high road and refused to offer the book. Shame on you, Northwest Regional Library System, for not doing the same.

HARRIET ROSBOROUGH
Panama City