I loved the 50's -- of course I was in high school at the time- but I sure
loved the period. I think of this all the time when I realize that my
students have never lived in a time when there wasn't AIDS, when there
wasn't bombings on American soil, when schools didn't need a violence
policy, when it was safe to walk the streets. Thanks for bringing back some
fond memories.
Allan
Dr. Allan O'Grady Cuseo (Brother Donogh Allan, MGC)
Bishop Kearney High School Library
125 Kings Highway South
Rochester, New York 14617
585-342 -4000 x231
585-342- 4694 (FAX)
acuseo@bkhs.org
Education in the tradition of the Christian Brothers
FAC OMNIA BENE (Do all things well)
Bless the work.
Bless the day.
Come to aid us.
Angels stay!
Irish blessing
----- Original Message -----
From: "MARY M. STEWART" <mmstewar@NHCS.K12.NC.US>
To: <LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>
Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2004 10:21 AM
Subject: Re: Please vote, continued
> Thank you all for the many interesting comments. This was a great
> learning experience for me as I finish up my degree in library science!
> It is impressive to find that most librarians out there are adhering to
> the Library Bill of Rights and the ALA Code of Ethics. And I want to
> thank some of you for a good laugh at the emails time-warped out of the
> 1950s.
>
> MM Stewart
> Teacher/Library Science Student
> New Hanover High School
> mmstewar@nhcs.k12.nc.us
>
> >>> Julie-Olson -SGH <jolson@FWPS.ORG> 03/30/04 12:36AM >>>
> This is a hot-button topic, I know. I have something I need to say and
> I'm
> working hard at saying it in the most respectful way I can. I am
> speaking
> from my heart. My objective is to bring perspective from another side
> of
> the issue. This is not a flame, although I believe some of what has
> been
> said today could be taken that way. It certainly felt that way to me.
>
> After reading some of the disparaging things said on the list today
> about
> "promoting a lifestyle" by having books that reflect all sorts of
> relationships, I am relieved I did not have children who went to
> school
> where these disapproving librarians work. They would never have had
> the
> chance to see their family reflected in the collection. How sad for
> the
> children of gay and lesbian families in those communities. And how sad
> for
> the community as a whole, for they lose in this bargain.
>
> One person said that they wouldn't want their 6 year old bringing home
> a
> book about two princes in love. That person seems to have forgotten
> "the
> mantra" of the librarian -- one parent may choose to limit the reading
> material of his or her child, but not that of my child or anyone
> else's
> child. That is indeed censorship, something we are ethically bound to
> fight.
>
> Our personal values sometimes interfere with our abilities to do our
> jobs,
> as with the librarian who is refusing to purchase gay and lesbian
> materials for his secondary school. I went to that school. Okay, in
> reality, I went to one just like it in a neighboring state. I left
> there
> as soon as possible to get away from the intolerance. Perhaps if we
> had
> librarians willing to provide materials for gay and lesbian youth,
> they
> might find a place in their communities rather than fleeing them.
>
> One of my favorite sayings is that there is something in my library to
> offend everyone, including me. If I haven't provided materials that
> show
> all sides of issues, I haven't done my job properly. So I include
> books
> with ideas to which I am diametrically opposed, even though it makes
> me
> terribly uncomfortable to have them in the collection.
>
> To those of you afraid of facing challenges, I would give you courage
> and
> strength. I have faced a very nasty challenge. Things were said that
> hurt
> me. But I survived. I'm still here providing needed materials for
> students
> in my community. And I can face myself in the mirror every morning
> knowing
> that I did the best I could for ALL of my students, not just the ones
> that
> society finds acceptable.
>
> This particular debate has been framed by the gay and lesbian issue,
> but
> it could apply to many others. Like the book about a child visiting
> Father
> in prison that someone described today. Or about families in
> non-mainstream religions. I find myself thinking of that often
> ridiculed
> phrase from Rodney King: Can't we all just get along? I wish for a
> world
> where all people are free to be who they are without the intolerance
> of
> others.
>
> Peace to you,
> Julie
>
> Julie Olson, Librarian
> Saghalie Middle School
> Federal Way, WA
> 253-945-5010
> jolson@fwps.org
>
> "Life is not tried, it is merely survived, if you're standing outside
> the
> fire." Jenny Yates and Garth Brooks
>
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