In my Monday night class we were talking about the Children's department in the library and the best ways to keep younger patrons safe in the library. One of the other students started talking about a library in Wisconsin that is in danger of being shutdown. She heard the story on the local news while visiting the state for the week end . Unfortunately I couldn't find an Internet article about the story. I have e mailed to ask what news station so hopefully I can provide more information later.
The details of the story is that the library has a pornography room. Because of space issues the room is located in the children's department! The room is monitored and only adult patrons are allowed to visit the room. But how well can the room be monitored and wouldn't its location make younger patrons very curious about the room?
This made me think about the rights of the library. Are they allowed to have a room with this type of materials in the library? If they are allowed, is the room protected under IF policies?
After hearing the story I wasn't sure where I stood. At first I felt the room should never be allowed so close to the children's area and why would the library even need a room with only adult materials. Next I thought about IF and the need to serve all patrons. If it gets you into the library and reading , doesn't that support most libraries missions?
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Post #9
Dr. Ball briefly mentioned in class last week the issue of lead in library books. I was a little late in getting the info . Here is an article with the main details. I didn't realize the threat until a friend who works in the children's department of a library, suddenly started talking about her plan to hide books and that certain classics always belonged in the library no matter what legislation said. She is definitely an advocate for IF and meant business if the legislation that goes into affect next year did take books off the library's selves. Fortunately the legislation will not affect libraries and books will stay on the shelves.
This got me thinking about other peoples reactions to the lead found in toys and books. I was at an Easter egg hunt this past week end and one of the kids participating got a match box car in his egg. His mother snatched the car out of his hand and began to inspect it. She then very loudly said if its made in China its going in the trash! I just kept thinking do you know how many products are made in China?
What should librarians say to patrons with these fears? It is their right to no longer allow products made in China in at home . But what about toys and books at the library? Could a patron who is loudly expressing their concerns cause other patrons to become concerned? I liked the example of in order for the lead in library books to be ingested by a child they would have to lick it repeatedly. Could you tell this to a patron or do you need to stay neutral and only voice the libraries policy?
This got me thinking about other peoples reactions to the lead found in toys and books. I was at an Easter egg hunt this past week end and one of the kids participating got a match box car in his egg. His mother snatched the car out of his hand and began to inspect it. She then very loudly said if its made in China its going in the trash! I just kept thinking do you know how many products are made in China?
What should librarians say to patrons with these fears? It is their right to no longer allow products made in China in at home . But what about toys and books at the library? Could a patron who is loudly expressing their concerns cause other patrons to become concerned? I liked the example of in order for the lead in library books to be ingested by a child they would have to lick it repeatedly. Could you tell this to a patron or do you need to stay neutral and only voice the libraries policy?
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