It has always been my philosophy that any library I am in is open to anyone
who comes through the door. When I was in the public system, we often had
private students and parents check out materials from the collection. I
agree that we are all taxpayers. The only caution I had was that our
students had first choice of the materials - but the collection was
basically open to anyone.
Now that I am in a private school - I have the same philosophy - and my
collection is open to any - public or private. Part of our collection is an
Interfaith Center for the study of the Holocaust - and this is open (stated
philosophy in writing) is open to anyone anywhere. We circulate materials
and have patrons come in from various parts of the county. We also have had
adults from various religious traditions come in to study the Holocaust.
As to whether the public schools are legally mandated to open collections to
private schools - I have no idea. I will leave that up to legal minds. I do
believe, however, ethically the collections should be open to all.
This should lead to a fascinating philosophical chat - thanks for bringing
up the issue.
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 and the School Sisters
of Notre Dame
FAC OMNIA BENE (Do all things well)
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Pat Smith" <psmith@SW.WEDNET.EDU>
To: <LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>
Sent: Monday, October 17, 2005 12:39 PM
Subject: [LM_NET] Target+Vent:Private sch. request to use public school
library
> Our public school library has been asked if the kids
> from a Christian school across the street may come over to check out books
> from our library. I believe that private schools should develop their own
> resources or use the public library, as we receive no state funding for
> their students. We have a very small budget and our resources are
> stretched thin as it is, it sets a dangerous precedent as there are many
> private schools in our area, etc. I would have said no from the getgo,
> however
> my assistant, was the one who talked with the person
> making the request and took it directly to the principal (I know - I need
> to take care of that too!). Though I presented the arguments above, the
> principal
> is saying that the Christian school folks are taxpayers too and she will
> "look
> into whether we can say no".
> So - do any of you open your collections to private schools? Do public
> school
> libraries have a responsiblity to open our collections to private schools?
>
> Pat Youngman Smith MLS
> Teacher/Librarian
> South Whidbey Primary
> Langley, Washington
> psmith@sw.wednet.edu
>
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