That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America

by Amanda Jones

The next time you hear someone say there are sexually explicit materials in children’s sections of your library (which is not true), here are some suggestions: 1. Ask this person to give you a title of an actual book. Look on your library’s catalog to see if the book even exists and/or if it is even in the children’s section. You can usually see for yourself that their claim is false. Then YOU don’t have to perpetuate the rumor and can stop it in its tracks. 2. Check out the book and read it for yourself. Remember that every book might not be your cup of tea, but that doesn’t mean the book is sexually explicit. If you object to a title, fill out a formal request for reconsideration if you feel that is necessary. Keep in mind that a book in the adult section must fail the Miller test to be considered obscene and sexually explicit. Books are taken as a whole and based on literary merit—not just one page out of context. 3. Ask yourself if they have a hidden motive. Once you can prove to them that their claims are false and they continue to spread the lie, ask yourself why. You’d be amazed at how many people simply want to spread lies, even if they know they are lies. That’s called chasing clout. They want to feel important and/or were fed disinformation that they did not take the time to verify. 4. See if they or a family member is running for office. Are they just jumping on the bandwagon of using the library as a punching bag to stir up drama so that they can say they w...