Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Wisconsin Library Board dismissals criticized

Here is some words from the article:

"Last week, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression joined with the National Coalition Against Censorship, the Association of American Publishers, and PEN American Center to send a letter to the West Bend (Wisconsin) Common Council criticizing its dismissal of four members of the West Bend Library Board who refused to remove controversial books from the young adult section of the library.

"The Common Council has made a terrible mistake," said ABFFE President Chris Finan. "It has punished four dedicated public servants for trying to ensure that the library serves everyone in the community. Free speech is under attack in West Bend."

In February, two patrons complained that the library's young adult section included both fiction and nonfiction about gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues. They also demanded the removal of all "pornographic" books from the young adults section, including Brent Hartinger's Geography Club (HarperCollins), Stephan Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and Esther Drill's Deal With It! A Whole New Approach to Your Body, Brain, and Life as a gURL (both Simon & Schuster)."

Read full article here: http://www.pww.org/article/articleview/15488/

1 comment:

  1. I remember this story. I even wrote to the librarian and school board. Darn it! This is so sad.

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