An interesting point. It wasn't until very recently that I even noticed
(because of my own religious upbringing, I'm sure) the way that some
materials are classed as religion, and some as folklore. For example,
when I checked the online catalog of my county public library, I found
that all library branches have cataloged the parables of Jesus in 226.
The Jataka tales of Buddha, though, are sometimes found in the 200's,
but far more often are classed in 398: folktales. From a young child's
point of view, finding a book about Buddha next to Cinderella may
suggest something about its content.
I certainly am not advocating that we all re-classify all the 398's and
200's based on any one culture's view of "the ultimate truth", only that
we think about how our own beliefs affect the way we work, in ways we
may not even aware of.
I've always found it beautiful, that books on Judaism, Islam,
Christianity, and all world religions, reside so compaionably together
in the 200's. If only the real world could be more like that!
Anne-Marie Gordon, Librarian
Livonia Primary School
Livonia, NY
agordon@livoniacsd.org
http://www.livoniacsd.org/primaryschool/gordon/index.htm
>>> Kristina Fallon <yasumani@AOL.COM> 04/28/05 10:14 AM >>>
What's interesting to me about this whole discussion is the fact that
Dewey himself made it very clear of his own bias on world religion by
reserving virtually the entire 200's to Christianity and various aspects
of it and left only the 290's for everything else. Don't shoot me but I
think this should change.
Kristina Fallon, librarian
Robert Morris School
South Bound Brook NJ
yasumani@aol.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Linda Lucke <llucke@D70.K12.IL.US>
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Sent: Thu, 28 Apr 2005 08:11:57 -0500
Subject: Re: Unique situation
Shonda,
I find this a very interesting question, and would love to know how
the
opinions fall out. I'm afraid I would weigh in on the side of leaving
your
collection as it is, largely because the implications go far beyond your
particular library. I am sure the Koran is placed in many libraries,
and I
cannot believe all of them arrange special placement for it. Also, what
of
other books of other religions? I would imagine many have traditions or
beliefs that are similar. Are libraries to start making exceptions in
shelving for all of them? In the end, I think the Koran is in your
library,
and most other libraries, as a book, rather than an object of religious
veneration. If it is there as a book, I think it must be treated as a
book,
like other books. All books in the library should, and I think are,
treated
with equal respect. If the Koroan is, in and of itself, too sacred to
be
treated as book, then perhaps it shouldn't be in the library, in the
same
way that other religious icons are not in libraries, but are in
churches.
Just some preliminary thoughts on the issue. Again, I would be
interested
in other opinions. Good luck,
Linda
Lucke
Linda Lucke
Learning Center Director
Butterfield School
Libertyville, IL
LLucke@d70.k12.il.us
Happy are those who have learned to laugh at themselves, for they shall
never lack for amusement!
----- Original Message -----
From: "Brisco, Shonda" <briscos@TRINITYVALLEYSCHOOL.ORG>
To: <LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>
Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2005 3:20 PM
Subject: [LM_NET] Unique situation
I just had a student who came into the library and wanted to let me know
that our copy of the Koran (297.1) was located on the lowest shelf of
bookcases near his feet. In his religious experience (he tells me that)
the Koran should not be at the ground level or near the feet....
The section which begins at the shelving top level with the
292's....ends 6 shelves later at the bottom row with the 297s...that is
where the Koran is located, as it just happens.
Although I can adjust shelving and move books to accomodate the student,
this is the first time that I have been asked to move an entire section
in order to make a religious book fit the "teachings" of its followers /
readers. While I see his point, I also tried to explain that the
library isn't arranged according to a specific religious doctrine (and I
won't go into those who worship cataloging and Dewey), but that it was
arranged according to the DDC--and it just happens that this book's call
number ends with a number which happens to end at the lowest
shelf--which is ground level. I also tried to explain that within the
library, we try to remain neutral in all areas and provide the students
and teachers with the information they need, but that our classification
and arrangement within the library isn't something that we can modify
for one or two items---unless we have a special display case....which we
don't.
I'm not sure that this will become an issue...but wanted to see what
others thought. I'm not adjusting shelves yet, but if (or when) the
time comes, it might be nice to offer additional justification for why
we are remaining "neutral" on this type of issue rather than observing
the requirements for the followers of this religion and moving an entire
shelf of books to allow this book to "rise" above the ground floor level
of others with the same call number. I am certainly open to ideas and
understand what he is asking, but this is rather unique and possibly a
politically / religiously correct issue that might become nasty if some
believe that I am discriminating...which I'm not...
Ideas, comments, solutions...?
~Shonda Brisco
Trinity Valley MS / US Librarian
Fort Worth, TX
briscos@trinityvalleyschool.org
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