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Published Sunday, October 05, 2008 in Opinion
We shouldn't tell others what they can and can't read
Editorial
Editor's note: Today's guest editorial is from the Jopline (Mo.) Globe.
As varied as "King Lear," "Call of the Wild," "Harry Potter," "My Friend Flicka" and "To Kill a Mockingbird" are from each other, the books all have one thing in common.
At some point in their history, they have been banned -- some even burned -- because there was something in them that someone deemed "objectionable." ...
We believe the availability of "Little Red Riding Hood," and "Arabian Nights" in a public library is a must. We can't imagine growing up without reading "Little House on the Prairie," or Dr. Seuss' "The Lorax." But somewhere out there are people who have successfully challenged all of these books, keeping them out of public libraries and out of the hands of the children who visit those taxpayer-supported institutions.
The American Library Association and other groups, including us, believe it's important that you know there are those out there who are challenging books. Banned Books Week -- a celebration of titles that have been challenged or banned in public and school libraries across the country -- ended Saturday.
The observance celebrated "the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one's opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular, and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them."
When it comes to telling others what they can and can't read, we say "Mind your own business."
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Oh Addy, Addy the Nanny state lives within you! Dont take the joy away from the other children just because you do not like something.
Posted by Joe Schmoe at 4:37 PM
When my children are at school and they are looking through the library shelf, I am not there to tell them what book they can or can not pick. When they are small, you can't give them a list of books you don't want them to read and expect them to remember it. I have encouraged my children to read since the day they were born and they love it! I don't even have to ask to them do it, they just do. There are PLENTY of books to choose from. It's not like taking a few controversial books off the SCHOOL library shelf is going to deplete the library of books. ~Addy~
Posted by ~Addyson~ at 11:26 AM
We should not have to compromise. If you dont want your child to read a certain book, tell them so. But when you take them away you are not making them available to children who have parents that encourage them to read. I dont like all of the music on the radio but i dont suggest that it shouldnt be there, i turn the dial.
Posted by Adam-Sharpsburg at 9:26 AM
There are some books in our elementary & middle school libraries that are too controversial for young readers, in my opinion. Since parents do not usually have an opportunity to be with their children to have a say in what they choose to read from the school library, I feel these books should be available at the public library and not at school. That way, they ARE available for those who want their children to have access to them but they are not on the shelf at school for children whose parents do not want them to be read by their child. I think that is a fair compromise. ~Addy~ <
Posted by ~Addyson~ at 9:38 AM
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A Reader
10/10/2008
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I personally believe books are the least of your children's problems. How about the crap they watch on television or what they see on the internet? Banning Harry Potter? Ridiculous. If you don't like something, it's very easy to teach children to avoid it or better yet, why not let them read it? Explain to them what is or what is not agreeable. But I guess banning is the easier solution...you don't have as many parental responsibilities. I certainly can't imagine what books would be so disagreeable at an elementary school library? There are trained professionals ordering those books. Seriously folks, focus on something else.
Posted by Tiffany at 6:47 AM