HOW WE SEE IT Explicit Book Has Proper Place On Shelf

Libraries can be a scary place for people who want to “protect” others from knowledge.

The problem is, most professionally run libraries tend to be dedicated to the premise that individuals can decide for themselves what they or their children want or need to know.

Libraries are not

designed to refl ect

the particular notions

or ideologies of the

community’s majority

nor are they meant

to be dedicated to

minority views. Rather,

libraries embrace the

concept of freedom ofideas, regardless of who expresses them or who opposes them. Indeed, walking down the aisles of most libraries is a celebration of diversity of thought.

That can unnerve some folks, especially those who surround themselves solely with ideas that confirm, rather than challenge, their preconceptions or those who want to corral information into their comfort zone.

“It’s Perfectly Normal,” the subject of a recent patron challenge the Springdale Public Library, isn’t going to be in practically anyone’s comfort zone. The book is about sex. Even more discomfiting is the fact it’s about teaching young people about their bodies and how they will change in puberty and how all that plays into human sexuality.

Its explicit illustrations and unapologetic openness to exploring all aspects of male and female body changes, sexual attraction and how it all works will definitely make birds and bees blush.

Any parent who has fulfilled the responsibility to educate a child about sex knows it can be uncomfortable territory. This book is designed to press through the awkwardness and get down to brass tacks.

So it’s no wonder it’s drawn campaigns for banning at libraries across the country.

Critics blast it as pornography and try to link it to Planned Parenthood. It’s among the most challenged books in the country.

In Springdale, the library has copies of the 1994 book in its young adult section and in its parenting section. Back in June, a patron from Rogers filed a complaint seeking its removal.

She considered the book propaganda and pornographic. It also does not refl ect Christian values, the woman said.

Apparently, she hadn’t seen the library’s copy of The Quran.

The complainant feels how she feels, and we respect that. But libraries would have a lot of empty shelf space if they only included material found suitable by the majority of people in a community. We commend the library board for staying true to a library’s primary function, and that’s making knowledge available.

It’s precisely because sex and sexuality are uncomfortable topics for many that books like these need to be available to those who choose to make use of them. Libraries tend to let the parents be the decision-makers for their own kids. Who else is in the best position to know what kind of information to share with those kids than a parent or guardian?

We respect every individual’s right to reject or embrace any book, whether it’s one on sexuality, the Bible or the Quran, “Drift” from Rachel Maddow or “Rush Revere” from Rush Limbaugh.

We also respect public libraries that give families in each community important resources once they’ve made those important decisions.

Opinion, Pages 5 on 09/28/2013

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