A couple of weeks ago I have sent the LM_net group the following message:
"Hello LM_netters from around the world,
Do you know the book "Decameron" by Boccaccio?
If the answer is yes:
Do you think an eighth grader, who is interested in reading one of the
stories there, should be given to read the story? This 8th grader
hates reading, and this might be a way to get
him interested in books.
Let me note that
passion is one strong motif in the "Decameron";
So there lies my moral predicament"
One can divide the responses received into three main categories: The pro
group included those who favored giving the patron his demand; The censor
group which included those who were convinced not to give the patron the
aforementioned story; And, finally, the commencing group which included
those librarians/people who donated me criteria to help me decide by myself
how to act. This division is artificially made for the sake of managing the
info received. All in all, I am deeply thankful to all people from all the
3 categories; Your input was great, fascinating and has created learning
for me. Thanks for respecting my predicament and responding to it. Here
follows a summary of the replies received:
Category 1: The Pro group.
1. Dawn M. Sardes , a Teen Services Librarian from Euclid Public Library in
Ohio, contributed the following: " I read it in 7th grade, as I had read The
Canturbury tales in 6th and had heard that Chaucer had based his work on
Decameron. It didn't destroy my life in any way that I can see. What's
wrong with passion? Nobody is more passionate than a teenager". -- I agree
Dawn: There is nothing wrong with passion. Thanks for your brave stand.
2.
Paula, wherefrom I don’t know, had contributed the following:
"Your e-mail brought back memories that I thought I would share with you.
As a young girl in grade four and living in Akko, Israel, I remember reading
1001 Arabian Night which I had gotten from the school's meager library. It
was a version not commonly available for children, being very explicit and
graphic. I was captivated, and mesmerized. Never before had I read a book
like that - a far cry from Kishon's funny commentary on life in Israel, or
Rachel's patriotic poetry. Needless to say, I have been an avid reader ever
since, always wondering what magic I will find inside the covers of a book.
So giving an eighth grader a story from _Decameron_ would probably not harm
him, and may inspire him to read more and varied material." I must say,
your reply, Paula, was most exciting and most interesting and mysterious.
Thanks a lot.
3. Brenda Kahn, a School Library Media Specialist from Haworth Public
School (k-8) New Jersey added: I read it in college. It is wonderful but
difficult. I wouldn't buy it for my school library but I would tell an
eighth grader to go for it if they showed an interest, even if it was for
the "dirty parts." Thanks for the input, Brenda.
Category 2: The Censors
1. (I have put this comment in the censor group because there is some
element of censorship in it). Judy Crook, a librarian from Grand Valley
High School in Parachute, Colorado corroborated: " As long as you pick the
story, it would be okay. In the U.S., this book is studied in college
because so many of the stories are not for kids. I haven't read it for
awhile, but it seems as though some of the stories might be okay". Thanks
Judy. I appreciate your input
2. Paula N. Tetirick, a Library Media Specialist from Jennie Rogers
Elementary School, Kentucky, added the following: " I'd say, basically,
it's not appropriate. But you know that if that person wants to, you will
not be able to stop him
from getting a copy. Thanks Paula. I appreciate your investing thought and
time on my predicament.
3. Dianne Anderson replied: My son read this as a freshman in college and
thought it was baudy ( A little bit sexy but not overly so). You might
rather look at the Canterbury Tales. Thanks Dianne. I appreciate your
input.
Category 3: The commencing group: Giving me criteria to judge the
situation and independently decide:
1. Lynley Mckernan replied: I work in the library of a large Catholic
school in Perth, WA. We have to take care to balance the student's right to
information and
literature with the expectations of the parents and the religious
community that founded the school over a century ago, and continues to
be part of the life of the College. When one of our Year 12 students
requested a copy of the Decameron be added to the collection last year we
considered the suggestion and declined, as we felt that there have been a
lot of other stories
written since the Decameron that would interest the students without
causing such a disturbance among their parents. Also, if any student
particularly wanted access to the novel, they could download a copy from one
of several internet sites, without involving the library in any
unpleasantness with the parents of other
students. It is possible but unlikely that at some point students studying
literature subjects or advanced Italian may need to have copies of some
of the stories as part of their class work, to get studied under the
guidance of their teacher, but for us, that is different from making
what is still a controversial text freely available to impressionable
young men, when that is not the expectation of their parents or
community. - and this is not even a very conservative college, as they
go. As an adult, I suppose I can say that some of the stories are quite
funny in their way, but they do seem more about lust than anything else,
and I didn't ever make it to the second volume. When our younger students
want materials that have been specifically tagged as being for senior
students, I have often asked the parent involved for their opinion and
permission. We recognise them as the
first educators of their children, and they mostly are happy to be involved.
The internet sites for full text (in English) follow. I suppose there
might be a Hebrew version around, but I have not seen one.
The introduction, describing the Black Death striking Florence, can be
found at http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/boccacio2.html
The text of volume one and volume two can be downloaded from Project
Gutenberg
The Decameron, Volume I by Giovanni Boccaccio -
www.gutenberg.org/etext/3726
The Decameron, Volume II by Giovanni Boccaccio -
www.gutenberg.org/etext/13102
Much obliged for your reply, Lynely.
4. An one MLS Grad Student , Lydia Lansberry, wrote: I have recently
joined the LM Net, but I thought that your question was
an interesting one. I recently re-read the Decameron for some undergrad
work and its pretty interesting. I would base your decision on the
maturity of your eighth grader. If you feel that he could handle the
content, then encourage him to read what he is interested in. Also, you
could choose certain stories that might be better than others for him to
read. Some of them are better than others. Thanks Lydia.
5. Marsha Redd, Librarian at Kelloggsville High School
Grand Rapids, Missouri added: " If this is a student who doesn't like to
read, The Decameron seems like a pretty tall order for an eigth grader. I
read it in college. Don't remember much about it, so I can't comment on the
content so much. I don't remember it being any more questionable than
Canterbury Tales. Could you just photo copy one chapter and see how it
goes?" That's what I will do. Thanks Marsha.
4. Linda Wilson, a library/teacher from Mckay High School in Oregon
amplified: "Not just passion, but earthly passion is the subject. Would
the child be
reading a modern translation? Otherwise, I would be inclined to think it's
not
for reluctant readers. Perhaps, he's "heard" about this book on the student
underground, and is interested in the salcious parts - normal for the age
group.
If he were a seious and mature student and a good reader, I might let him
read
it, but off the top of my head, I think not. Just my opinion. " Thanks for
your great reply, Linda.
Some super/expert-librarians, I wanted the opinion of, have just actually
not read the book. This, perhaps, is an expression of the current culture
which stresses more on the tech side of the librarian, stressing among other
things, the mastery of knowing how to" fish" the material and less on the
librarian's reading résumé or his level of depth in general
knowledge.
In conclusion, it is my opinion that it seems that even in the 21st century
issues concerning sex and passion are still containing explosive materials.
Different librarians react differently to this, and there is no clear
consensus and/or clear guidelines.
What I learnt about myself was that in the future I will be much more
careful in advocating reading erotical/sexual materials for teens. This, I
stress was a personal choice, relating to my personal life history, and
life philosophy of staying away from trouble. However, I do think that in
general, kids do need adult guidance in their sexual development. Be it
parents or other socialization agents. What is the role a librarian should
take? This is an open question for everyone of us. I think that adults
tend to turn away and not take this obligation they have for youth.
Personally, I excuse myself out by saying that I lack the capabilities
needed to play such a role. Modesty is important here in my opinion.
However, I keep my antennas up, and am sensitive th the teen's need, doing
my best on the given situation. I was not aware of all these aspects when I
raised my question at first.
The answers I received opened to me a wide range of possibilities. It did
confuse me and made my crisis even more difficult. Using on of the advises I
received, I turned to the kid's father, who I am in friendly terms with, and
asked his permission. He merely threw the ball right back to me, saying: "
You are the librarian and you should know what's right and wrong. Don’t
they teach you that in the library school?" In despair , I turned to the
head of the library & Information department in College, Mrs. Zvulun. After
I described to her the situation on the phone, and she asked me a few
questions, she affirmatively suggested to me to do and give the
abovementioned materials. Moreover she added that the more waves I create
around the matter the worst it can turn. Hence, I gave the kid what he
wanted. And the matter was externally closed.
I decided not to initiate any interest in that kid's reading material
anymore. However, If he will turn to me, I would be glad to suggest a book
to him but not making the theme of reading sex or erotics. I think that I
will continue to debate that question in my thoughts. Although I turned to
my superior for rescue, it does not mean that her moral choice is the only
right one to make just being superiorly ranked.
Thanks everyone.
Respectfully
Ehud
Ehud(Abie)Weiler
A library & Information student
Beit Berl College
Israel
ehudwe@actcom.co.il
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